The former engineer, Alain Graillot, arrived in Crozes-Hermitages in 1985. Soon after he proved himself to be a master of growing Syrah despite his avant-garde thoughts about respecting nature. In fact, Alain Graillot's principles of banning insecticides and herbicides, working the soil with a plough and whole cluster vinifcation proved pioneering. His cuvées soon stood out for their quality and consistency throughout vintages. After leaving the winemaking to his sons Antonie and Maxime in 2008, Alain busied himself advising domaines both in France and abroad in countries as far as Australia and Morocco but also in Italy and Spain. Alain sadly left us in March 2022 but his sons continue his work. The vineyard spans 17ha in the Crozes Hermitage Rouge AOC, 3 ha in Crozes Hermitages Blanc and 1.5ha in Saint-Joseph Rouge.

A symbolic cuvée of the domain, even from young, La Guiraude showcases all the potential of the Syrah. Only produced during noteworthy vintages, La Guiraude is a single grape variety whose vines were mostly planted by Alain Graillot in 1986. Harvested by hand, it is then aged in barriques. Paired with black pudding cottage pie or stuffed quail, this deep ruby red wine has a flavoursome and structured palate. Very concentrated, it entices us with its finesse and intense aromatic persistence. It also exudes the typical Syrah aromas of the appellation: ripe black fruit and spices. A very fine cuvée which certain critics cannot help comparing with the Cathelin of Domaine Chave… and quite right too!