Famille Perrin

History

The history of Famille Perrin begins in 1909 when Pierre Tramier purchased the Château de Beaucastel estate. He later passed it down to his son-in-law, Pierre Perrin, who continued the legacy. Pierre's son Jacques developed the brand successfully until 1978. Today, Pierre's grandsons Jean-Pierre and François Perrin are in charge of Château de Beaucastel. The family has expanded significantly, owning vineyards in France and the United States, with a focus on Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Rhône Valley and Provence. They are pioneers in sustainable winemaking, adopting organic practices since the 1950s and biodynamics since 1970. The family's success is also attributed to their négociant brand, La Vieille Ferme, which has become a global success, promoting the quality of Southern Rhone Valley wines in over 80 countries[1][2][4].

Terroir

The terroir of Famille Perrin is deeply rooted in the Southern Rhône Valley, where the family has been farming since 1909. The region's unique combination of soil types, climate, and geography contributes to the distinct character of their wines. The vineyards are planted on stony terraces over clay and limestone, which provides a mineral freshness to their wines. In Vinsobres, the soil is rich in quartz and marl limestone, resulting in wines with an excellent balance of freshness and ripe fruit. The cooler climate of Vinsobres allows for the ripening of Syrah and Grenache, while the south-facing vineyards in Cairanne with clay soil shielded from the cool mistral enable Mourvèdre to ripen fully and Grenache to get superripe.

The family's commitment to organic and biodynamic practices ensures that the vines grow as naturally as possible. Weeding is done by hand, no pesticides are used, and indigenous yeasts are employed as much as possible. The lunar calendar is also considered when making vineyard and winery decisions, all in keeping with organic farming. This approach not only preserves the land for future generations but also contributes to the exceptional quality of their wines, which express the unique terroir of their estate.

The diversity of the Rhône region is showcased in Famille Perrin's wines, ranging from Châteauneuf-du-Pape to Ventoux, Gigondas, and Vacqueyras. Each appellation offers distinct characteristics, with Châteauneuf-du-Pape featuring a blend of 13 grapes, including Mourvèdre, Grenache, Syrah, and others, which are harvested, fermented, and aged separately before blending. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that each wine reflects the exceptional terroir of its specific region.