Located in the northern part of Châteauneuf du Pape is La Durbane, a small side project kicked off by Jean-Louis Giornal in 1999.  Fast forward to today, and La Durbane is run by Florence Giornal, the daughter of Jean-Louis along with her husband, Thomas. 

What makes this story extra special is that, prior to running La Durbane, Florence and Thomas were local residents of Basel. Both with backgrounds in Chemistry, they farewelled their careers in the Pharmaceutical industry to inject their passion and ideas into winemaking, adding their own modern touch to what is La Durbane today.

La Durbane has gained a well-deserved reputation for crafting exceptional Châteauneuf-du-Pape red wines, characterised by vibrant cherries, dark fruits, and enticing spices. However, it's worth highlighting their equally impressive white wines. Florence and Thomas have mastered these wines, drawing praise for their purity and distinct character. These wines offer delicate floral notes complemented by subtle hints of salt. What’s more, they age beautifully too.

Already practicing organic farming, La Durbane will be certified in 2023, with ongoing projects to enhance biodiversity, from planting pollinator-friendly melliferous plants to installing bird and bat boxes. Moreover, they are transitioning to lighter glass bottles and building an eco-friendly cellar powered by renewable energy, reflecting their dedication to a greener future.

It is our pleasure to introduce La Durbane’s fabulous Châteauneuf du Pape wines and to reconnect Florence and Thomas to their former Basel community.

www.ladurbane.fr