We first discovered Domaine du Gros Pata at the Vinisud expo in Montpelier, France in February of 2008. While exploring new and exciting French producers, we came across the Gros Pata stand and were quite impressed by what we sampled. The white and rose wines were lively, bright and fresh, and the red wines were deliciously fruity and well-balanced. Even more impressive and intriguing for us, was the fact that the young woman pouring the wines, Sabine Garagnon, was “running the show” – something not typical for a French producer. Through our experiences in Spain working with young and upcoming oenologists and winemakers, this just seemed like the perfect fit for us. With two degrees, one in Viticulture, the other in Oenology, we look forward to seeing where Sabine will take Domaine du Gros Pata.
The domaine is situated in the commune of Vaison la Romaine, in of the beautiful Provence region of France, roughly 25 miles northeast of Avignon. The vineyard is part of the Appellation Cotes du Rhone controlee, and the regions vines enjoy a healthy dose of the Provencal sun which helps produce rich, robust wines from the varieties that thrive in the region. These include Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cincault and Mourvedre for their red and rose wines, and Clairette, Bourboulenc, Ugni Blanc and Grenache Blanc for their whites.
The name “Gros Pata” is derived from the copper coins, or patas, that were once used to pay tolls when traveling from one commune to another in the Provence region. On one side there was a cross, and the other an image of the keys of St. Peter of Sautoir, which today is the logo of the vineyard. While the Domaine was founded at the beginning of the century, it wasn’t until 1978 that Paul Garagnon decided to create his own cellar instead of selling to the local cooperative cellars.
He controlled Gros Pata until 1992 when he unfortunately passed away and his son Gerald assumed control of the domaine, with help from his wife Geneveive and their daughter Sabine. Today, after four generations of winemaking, the “Garagnon et Fille” continue with operations and are still as passionate as ever about their wines.