Domaine Saint Damien is a 54-acre estate in Gigondas, in the heart of the Rhone Valley. Though the Saurel family has been involved with grape growing and winemaking in the Rhone Valley for seven generations, the estate is now run by Joel Saurel and his wife Amie, who are winning wide-spread praise for their winemaking. Robert M. Parker Jr. wrote in 2009 that Joel Saurel “has moved this estate alongside the appellation’s two superstars, Domaine Santa Duc and Chateau SaintCosme.” The estate’s unfined, unfiltered Gigondas are generally about 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre. Since early 2009 the estate has used only organic farming methods. Nearly 9,000 cases of wine are produced annually.