Domaine du Terme – Anne-Marie Gaudin’s Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Sablet

Located in the foothills of the Montmirail Mountains, Domaine du Terme is managed by Anne-Marie Gaudin and her father Rolland, who purchased their first vines in Sablet some forty years ago. Anne-Marie began making the wines in 1987 after earning her oenology degree in Macon. He father Rolland, who is also the mayor of Gigondas for over a decade, still consults in the vinification and viticulture process. Anne-Marie believes one must be “flexible, pragmatic, and intuitive” to make quality wine, and have a good connection to the earth.

Terme now spans twelve hectares under vine in Sablet, eleven in Gigondas and three in Vacqueyras. She purchased the Vacqueyras herself, believing in the importance of adding more land with each generation. Only two of the hectares are used for AOC Sablet: a large plot of old vine Grenache in limestone called “Les Briguières” as well as two other plots in sandier soils. The rest goes into her Côtes du Rhone. All harvest is performed manually. Gaudin does not use any pesticides or herbicides as a matter of course, but not because she wants to be identified with the ‘organic movement.’ She simply believes that the best grapes come from the best management of grapes. As a result her wines are rich, textured, and exceptionally pure. 

Her Sablet is aged in enamel-coated vats for two years before bottling. Vacqueyras spends 6-8 months in large oak barrel before two years in vat. Gigondas sees three years in vat before bottling. With the exception of the 20% Anne-Marie exports, all wine is sold directly from their commercial space in the main square of Gigondas.