Domaine Saint Préfert

Fernand Serre established the estate in 1930 after purchasing an 80-hectare parcel of land in the southern part of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The property was notable for being one of the first in the region to estate-bottle its own wine and export to the United States. In 2002, Isabel Ferrando, a former banker who transitioned to viticulture, purchased the 13.2-hectare Domaine Saint Préfert from the Serre family. Ferrando released her first vintage in 2003 and later expanded the estate through additional vineyard acquisitions. In 2020, she transitioned the business to the name Famille Isabel Ferrando, a change that coincided with a shift in the wine lineup and the entry of her daughter, Guillemette, into the family winemaking operation.

The estate vineyards are located primarily in the Les Serres lieu-dit, characterized by a complex soil profile of large pebbles, blue clay, gravel, and sand. This area is often one of the warmest sectors in the appellation, yet the estate focuses on maintaining freshness through careful management of old vines, some of which date back to 1920. Ferrando moved to organic farming early in her tenure, achieving certification in 2013, and later transitioned to biodynamic methods with certification in 2022. Winemaking involves whole-cluster fermentation for many of the reds, a practice adopted in 2009 to emphasize aromatic lift and lower alcohol levels. Aging takes place in a variety of vessels, including concrete tanks, large used oak foudres, and amphorae, specifically avoiding new oak to preserve terroir clarity.

For nearly two decades, the domaine was recognized for its distinct red cuvées including the Réserve Auguste Favier and the Mourvèdre-dominant Collection Charles Giraud. Starting with the 2020 vintage, these separate bottlings were consolidated into a single flagship red under the Famille Isabel Ferrando label to better represent the traditional blending practices of the region. The estate is also highly regarded for its Colombis bottling, which is produced from 100 percent old-vine Grenache grown on sandy soils. In addition to its reds, the winery produces specialized white wines, such as the Vieilles Clairettes, which is made from century-old vines and released exclusively in magnums. The producer is generally considered a leading figure in the modern era of the Southern Rhône for balancing the natural power of the region with a sense of elegance and precision.