“The Rayas reserve consists of 100 percent Grenache grapes grown from 12 hectares of vines in Chateauneuf du Pape. The sandy red soil in the vineyard is naturally cool to the touch throughout the season, which creates greater humidity than in other vineyards in Rhone. This means that even in the hottest, driest summers, the vines on Rayas retain moisture and coolness that keep the grapes from experiencing sun overexposure. As the coolest area in Chateauneuf du Pape, the Rayas estate allows their grapes to mature late into the harvest season, and are typically one of the last to harvest every year. The Reynaud family believes that aging their wines in only old oak contributes to the flavors of terroir. Yields are typically low on the estate, with about 1,100 cases produced every year.

In 2007, Rhone producers expected the crop to suffer from an unusually wet season, as rain came early and stayed throughout the spring. However, Rhone producers were surprised to find that the summer was unusually dry. The result was an especially tannic wine from Rayas, whose natural humidity coupled with the dry outside climate produced grapes that were riper and healthier than those from previous years.”