The return of Ferme Saint-Martin and new arrivals from Clos du Joncuas
8/23/25 -
Some of our readers and customers may remember the wines of Ferme Saint-Martin from Guy and Thomas Jullien, a family run estate nestled high up in Beaumes-de-Venise (photo above of the terrace), with vineyards in surrounding Ventoux and Cotes-du-Rhone appellations. These were consistently some of the most soulful, elegant, and classic Rhone wines we had on the shelf, built for aging, but always balanced and approachable as young wines. As Thomas took over the family domaine, with the help and partnership of his wife Sophie, they broadened the range of wines and introduced fresh, high-acid, short-maceration reds, a delicious rosé and a skin contact wine with the Vins de Thomas side-project, always focused on value, and often involving purchased organic fruit from neighbors in the region. Today we're extremely happy to re-introduce you to the wines of Ferme Saint-Martin, which have arrived back to Chambers Street after a multi-year hiatus! We tasted all of these wines in France in January, and again this past week after they arrived in New York, and we're beaming over how delicious they are. It's also nice to have a range of wines from juicy playful reds to more serious, terroir-driven and classic Rhones, all under $30 (with some under $20!).
To make this a real weekend extravaganza, and much in line with the theme, we're including new arrivals from Clos du Gravillas in the Languedoc! A bit more recent to the Chambers Street family, we started working with Nicole and John Bojanowski a few years ago after being blown away by their lineup of wines from St. Jean de Minervois. Now, they have become staples on the shelf, and have also clearly attracted the attention of great minds and palates in the wine world, several times being written of fondly by the team at Jancis Robinson.com! The reds are distinctive and full-flavored but retain a fabulous purity and freshness that makes them absolutely delicious served cool, perfect with anything off the grill this season. We particularly love the whites, made from local and ancient grape varieties - they are crystalline, subtle and mineral, with refreshing acidity - perfect with seafoods, salads and light summer meals. The orange wine - "A Fleur du Peau" - is one of the very best, and the sparkling "Jour de Teuf," is a delight - if you haven't tried these wonderful wines, please do so today, they are all highly recommended!
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Thomas Jullien with one of his many prized tractors
Ferme Saint-Martin
For many years now we've been working with the great father and son team of Guy and Thomas Jullien at La Ferme Saint-Martin in Beaumes-de-Venise, one of the first estates in the southern Rhône to practice organic farming and low-sulfur vinificatons. The high-altitude vineyards produce complex, powerful reds that retain freshness and balance, as well as full-bodied whites and a fresh and lovely rosé. The estate was created in the 1960's when Guy's father Aimé transformed the farm that produced grapes, olives, apricots and cherries, into a real vineyard with 11 hectares of vines. Guy took over in 1979 and began using organic methods in the late 1980s. During this period he would travel to Paris to show his wines and would taste with other growers and with Francois Morel at "Les Envierges" (author of the wonderful book "Le Vin au Naturel") and Philippe Pinoteau at "Le Baratin." It was then that Guy acquired a desire to produce natural wines. Guy's very capable and enthusiastic son Thomas is now in charge and the estate continues to produce some of the most naturally delicious wines of the Southern Rhône - and they are superb values as well. The farming here is particularly outstanding with careful plowing along the vines and a carpet of green maintained between the rows - "regenerative agriculture" that sequesters CO2 and preserves living soils.
From their website: "The vineyards are exposed due south on dry and stony limestone terroir, in terraces from 600 to 1800 feet in altitude. We have cultivated the vines in certified organic agriculture since 1998. Each parcel is harvested by hand and we select with care (with a sorting table) the grapes that enter the cellar. The vinifications are done without the addition of any oenological products. (A minimal dosage of SO2 is added to most wines before bottling) Our family, united in the same passion, works with conviction and determination to bring you living wines, free to express their personalities, true reflections of their terroir." The Beaumes-de-Venise reds offered today, especially Costancia and Cuvée Saint-Martin, are elegant, well-structured wines that will need carafing or opening well in advance if drinking soon - they are outstanding wines that are worth the effort or time in the cellar. The Côtes-du-Rhône "Les Romanins" and Ventoux Sur le Fil are superb everyday reds to serve a bit cool. For those interested in the nuance that skin maceration can offer to white wines, the Sur le Nuage is not to be missed! We urge you to try these truly unique though inexpensive wines.
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Clos du Gravillas
In 1996, Nicole, from Narbonne, convinced her American husband John, from Kentucky, that the stones of St Jean de Minervois were the most beautiful in the world. It was a real choice of life, to a village of 45 souls, and of terroir: the white limestone and marine fossils of the high causse northwest of Beziers. This dazzling terroir is reminiscent of the moon, and inspired their representation of the estate.
"The 9 ha vineyard on the Causse (photo above), at an altitude of 270 metres, benefits from a providential coolness descending from the Montagnes Noires on summer nights. The very mineral landscape makes it possible to imagine the nature of the wines. Biodiversity is a watchword, we are within the Haut Languedoc Natural Park and in a Natura 2000 protected area. Organic farming, of course. Agroforestry is practiced with the establishment or restoration of trees and hedges. An ideal "oasis" that serves as a refuge and creates havens of freshness. A living soil is essential to reflect a terroir and make unique wines. In addition to the biodynamic preparations, the vineyard is planted with legumes and grasses to create a mulch/ground cover and not leave the soil bare."
Indeed the location is extraordinary - a plateau surrounded by hills and mountains, composed of solid limestone with "soil" of limestone rocks and fossilized seashells. John and Nicole are serious, experienced winemakers who take advantage of this unusual spot to make profound wines of terroir that are both incredibly delicious and great fun to drink - in the true spirit of wine as a beverage to be shared and enjoyed. From the complex, delicate and beautifully made orange wine "A Fleur de Peau" to the dark and stormy "Cote Obscur," here is a range of wines that is joyful and creative - we invite you to try them all! (Only available in the US at Chambers Street Wines!)
