Rhône Valley Wine Estate
As early as 1994, the Serguier family became aware of the agronomic, ecological, and social imbalances caused by the intensive agricultural development of the 1970s. From then on, they sought to reduce the environmental impact of their practices, culminating in Demeter certification in 2011 for their biodynamic vineyard management. Today, our motto could be “Nature can only be commanded by obeying it.”
Great care is taken in the vineyards to ensure they remain in perfect harmony with their soil and environment: these lands and this natural setting where five generations of winemakers have grown up. All interventions, in the vineyards and in the cellar, are carefully considered, respecting this harmonious and delicate balance, which allows us today to obtain grapes of exceptional quality: thick skins rich in color and aromas, with silky tannins; juicy and sweet pulp with stable acidity.
The Simian Vineyard is history...
From an inheritance
“You know, Marcelle, one day this key will be yours.”
This sentence, spoken at the beginning of the last century, sealed a promise between two women: Sophie Simian, owner of a country house and the surrounding land, and Marcelle Ladret, a loyal and devoted young woman who had worked in her service for years.
The story goes that one day, when Sophie lost the key to her house during a walk in the Provençal countryside, she asked Marcelle for help. By retracing her steps, Marcelle eventually found the precious key and returned it to Sophie, who told her: “You know, Marcelle, one day this key will be yours.”
Sophie kept her promise, and Marcelle and her husband inherited the estate after her death in 1936. They then undertook to restore the aging house and rehabilitate the land. They had two daughters, Madeleine and Jacqueline.
From a father to son
Through sheer saving, Hippolyte Serguier, a simple vineyard worker, and his wife managed to acquire a few hectares of vineyard land at a low price in 1880. These were plots with poor soil, badly situated: land in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, before its heyday…
A good bet then for this modest family whose notary deed we found for a loan from the baker: an advance of 400 francs, 300 of which was for the supply of bread for the needs of the household and 100 in cash, to be repaid over 5 years.
Marcel , their son, settled after the Second World War in the northern part of the appellation, on the lands of Grès. A decision that still influences the distinctive character of the estate’s wines today.
It is now Yves‘ turn , Marcel’s son, to immerse himself in this story, and with him a new turning point.
From a family vineyard
This is where the two stories converge, when Madeleine Ladret married Yves Serguier. In 1956, they settled in the bastide called La Simiane, thus uniting the lands of Piolenc, Uchaux, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape under a single ownership. But the legacy didn’t end there; Jean-Pierre, their only son, took over the family estate and, in 1981, fulfilled the dream of four generations: to become a winegrower, aging and bottling his wine at the estate.
Today, the story continues with Florian and Marion, the children of Jean-Pierre and Mireille, and with them a new vision, but still imbued with the ancient and deep traditions of the Simian heritage.
Wine and vineyard enthusiasts
Having established himself as a winemaker in 2010, he is the 5th generation to work his land. Present both in the vineyards and in the cellar, he oversees the management of the winery and its commercial activity.
Florian’s sister, she puts her communication and administrative skills to work for the estate. She’s the one behind our Instagram and Facebook profiles.
The father, gradually relinquishing his prerogatives, participates in the many activities that lead to the grapes ending up in a bottle on your table.
As a sales assistant, she handles the administrative and logistical aspects of sales. She also prepares and ships your orders, and welcomes you to the winery in Piolenc.
Wearing his dual hat as cellar master and salesman, he works with Florian on the vinification and aging of the wines. And, once they are finally settled, he takes care of their marketing to professionals.
Initially a seasonal worker, she is now a full-time member of the team. Most often she works in pairs, with Nathan in the vineyards, Christelle preparing orders, or Thomas in the cellar.
Formerly a seasonal worker, he now works full-time in the vineyards. A jack-of-all-trades, you’ll find him on foot in the vineyards, behind the wheel of a tractor, or in the workshop on rainy days.
After 12 years with us as cellar master, he retired in December 2022. He remains involved in the business by occasionally acting as a consultant.
With diverse profiles, combining experts in pruning shears, aces of piloting St Chamond, and masters of bud removal!