The old fortified village of Sablet was once in the hands of the Avignon popes and produced wines on a steady basis to please the papal pallets. Its beautiful Romanesque bell-tower stands proudly on the summit of the hill and is surrounded by narrow, concentric streets, archways and ancient fortifications.

Domaine de Piaugier is a family run domaine that had been growing vines since the early part of the last century. The Domaine is run by the dedicated and passionate Jean-Marc and Sophie Autran. They make wines of high quality which have developed a substantial international reputation and their wines are frequently recommended by Robert Parker and Guide Hachette.

Domaine de Piaugier cultivates 30 hectares of vines, of which 13 hectares are located in the Sablet appellation. The Sablet vineyards cover an enormous range of terroir which give balance and complexity to the main Côtes du Rhône Villages Sablet red.

The Domaine also produces Côtes du Rhône Villages Sablet red wines that are sourced uniquely from certain terroir. Given that two of these Sablet wines, “Montmartel” (mainly sandy soils) and “Les Briguières” (clay-limestone soils) are made from the same grape blend of 80% grenache and 20% mourvèrde, we have the opportunity to literally taste the difference between two terroirs.

With some highly skilled and innovative winemaking, Domaine de Piaugier produces a wonderfully waxy Côtes du Rhône Villages Sablet white wine with lots of honeysuckle fruit flavours that linger on the pallet. This wine is made from grenache blanc, viognier, clairette and rousanne and is fermented and matured in oak barrels.