| Region of production: | Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
| Winery Location: | Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
| Year Established: | 1880 |
Vineyard Holdings
6.48 ha
Approximately 12 ha
- Le Couchant
- Le Levant
- Le Coeur
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Pignan (Châteauneuf-du-Pape): Pignan means „pine tree“ in French, and references the surrounding trees at the estate. Produced from younger vines, 100% Grenache.
- Réservé Rouge (Châteauneuf-du-Pape): 100% Grenache.
- Réservé Blanc (Châteauneuf-du-Pape): Clairette and Grenache Blanc.
- Pialade (Côtes du Rhône): 80% Grenache, 15% Cinsault, 5% Syrah.
Average Total Production
- 28,800 bottles
Summary
Owned and operated by the Reynaud family, Château Rayas is currently run by fourth generation Emmanuel Reynaud. The estate name, Rayas, first showed up on bottlings in 1920. The family’s holdings include Château Rayas, Château des Tours and Château de Fonsalette. Within the Rayas property, there are 10 hectares of red grape plantings, devoted exclusively to Grenache. These 10 hectares support their two red Châteauneuf bottlings: Rayas and Pignan. They have two other hectares planted to Clairette and Grenache Blanc, from which they make a Châteauneuf du Pape blanc. Finally, they produce a Côtes du Rhône rouge called La Pialade, made from Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah.
Style & Vinification Techniques
A very traditional winemaking estate, Château Rayas ferments their red and white wines without de-stemming. Wines are fermented for around two weeks in concrete vats, then aged for a year in used barrels of varying sizes.
Producer Website: Rayas