Maison Ferraton Pere et Fils Hermitage Rhone Wine, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Maison Ferraton Pere et Fils Hermitage with wine tasting notes, wine and food pairing tips, best vintages, a history of the property and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important wineries and wine makers from the Rhone valley: Links to all Rhone Valley Wine Producer Profiles

Maison Ferraton Pere et Fils History, Overview

Maison Ferraton Pere et Fils was founded in 1946 by Jean Orens Ferraton, which as you can see, is where the company takes its name from. The initial purchase that launched their business began with a tiny parcel of only .3 hectares in Hermitage.

The next generation, led by the dynamic Michel Ferraton really helped expand the business and their vineyard holding with additional purchases.

In 1998, Ferraton Pere et Fils embraced biodynamic farming techniques for all their vineyards. They also really wanted their business to grow.

To help with the transition, Michel Chapoutier, who was already enjoying great success with biodynamic farming and marketing the wines of Chapoutier was brought in. From that point forward, they formed a join venture partnership with Michel Chapoutier.

By 2000, all their vineyards were farmed using biodynamic techniques. Today, due to a motorcycle accident that severely injured Samuel Ferraton, Michel Chapoutier started taking a more active roll in the management of the entire estate.

It took a few years, but starting with the 2009 vintage, all their wines showed a marked increase in quality. Michel Chapoutier is in charge of the wine making, but the wines are uniquely Ferraton, and do not resemble those of Chapoutier.

Ferraton Pere et Fils is a massive company in the Rhone. They are a top level winery, producing some of the best wines in the Northern Rhone, especially in the appellations of Hermitage and Crozes Hermitage. They own vines in several different appellations and terroirs.

In Hermitage, they have vines planted in Le Meal, Petit Meal, and Beaume. They have old vines, some of which are close to 60 years of age on Le Meal, with their oldest vines dating back to 1946, which are in the Les Diognieres lieu-dit.

They also act as a negociant and produce wine from purchased grapes grown in a myriad of different appellations including: Crozes Hermitage, St. Joseph, Cote Rotie, Condrieu, Cornas, Chateauneuf du Pape, Cotes du Rhone, Cotes du Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu and Tavel. They make both red and white wine in the Rhone Valley, with a focus on red wine.

Maison Ferraton Pere et Fils Vineyards, Wines, Winemaking

In Hermitage, Maison Ferraton produces 3 red Hermitage wines and 3 white Hermitage wines.

The Hermitage Rouge wines of Ferraton Pere et Fils:

Ferraton Pere et Fils Le Meal is their most famous and expensive wine. Produced from a small parcel of old vine Syrah planted in the steep granite hillside soils of the Le Meal vineyard, their vines are placed in one of the cooler terroirs of the lieu-dit.

Due to their unique cooler, and naturally moist terroir, coupled with the age of their vines, they are often one of the last estates to finish harvesting.

For the production of their wines, the grapes are completely destemmed. Vinification takes place in concrete vats. Malolactic fermentation is in barrel. The wine is aged in 30 to 50% new, French oak barrels and demi-muids for between 14 to 18 months.

The amount of new oak and aging time varies, depending on the quality and character of the vintage. Very little of this wine is made as the production of Ferraton Le Meal is under 200 cases per vintage.

Ferraton Pere et Fils Les Dionnieres Ermitage is produced from old vine Syrah. The grapes are destemmed and then vinified in traditional concrete vats. The wines are aged in 20 to 30% new, French oak barrels and demi-muids for 14 to 16 months before bottling.

This wine is hard to find because the production of Ferraton Les Dionnieres Ermitage is under 200 cases per year.

Ferraton Pere et Fils Cuvee des Miaux comes from a terroir of clay, limestone and alluvial soils from vineyards in Les Dionnieres and Le Meal. The grapes are sourced from their own vines and blended with purchased fruit from other growers. The wine is aged in 10% new, French oak barrels for 14 to 16 months.

The white Hermitage wines of Ferraton Pere et Fils:

Ferraton Pere et Fils Hermitage Blanc le Meal Estate is produced from 100% Marsanne, although some Roussanne can be added in select vintages. Vinification takes place in barrel. The wine is then aged in a combination of French oak barrels and vats for 10 to 12 months.

Ferraton Pere et Fils Hermitage Blanc Le Reverdy is made from a blend of 50% Marsanne and 50% Roussanne that is barrel fermented and aged on its lees in 30% new, French oak barrels for 10 to 12 months.

Ferraton Pere et Fils Les Miaux Hermitage Blanc is made from a blend of 50% Roussanne and 50% Marsanne. The wine is vinifierd in barrel and is aged in demi-muids for 10 to 12 months.

When to Drink Ferraton Pere et Fils Hermitage, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Ferraton Pere et Fils Hermitage when young, should be decanted at least 2-4 hours, give or take, allowing the wines to soften and open their perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Ferraton Pere et Fils Hermitage is usually better with 10-12 years of cellaring and should be at its best between 12-30 years of age.

Serving Ferraton Pere et Fils Hermitage with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Ferraton Pere et Fils is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Ferraton Pere et Fils is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes. Ferraton is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms and pasta.

The white wine of Ferraton is best served with a myriad of different seafood dishes, shellfish, crab, lobster, sushi, sashimi, chicken, pork and veal, as well as Asian cuisine.

From time to time, Maison Ferraton has produced a Vin de Paille. And as I mentioned earlier, they also produce a massive array of wine from various appellations all over the Northern Rhone and Southern Rhone Valley.

www.ferraton.fr