Emily’s Wines of the Moment - October ‘25
Another month, another bottle (or two) to fall in love with — this time, a red and a white from the same enchanting estate: Famille Isabel Ferrando Saint-Préfert.
We first discovered Isabel Ferrando’s wines in 2024 on a sun-soaked afternoon in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Inside the elegant little wine shop at the Hotel de Tourrel, my husband and I found ourselves deep in conversation with the owner, Ralph, surrounded by shelves of carefully chosen bottles. He spoke with such admiration about Ferrando’s work that we couldn’t help but be intrigued. Isabel, he told us, had left a career in banking to pursue her true passion — winemaking — taking over the historic Saint-Préfert estate and reimagining it as Famille Isabel Ferrando, now run with her daughter, Guillemette.
Fast forward to 2025: we were driving from Burgundy to Cassis, winding our way through the Provençal countryside, when we tried to stop by the estate one quiet Saturday afternoon (Fête de la Musique in fact!). Unfortunately, the gates were closed — but that turned into something serendipitous. I later wrote to them, and Guillemette kindly invited us to join their wine club. Twice a year, boxes of their wines now arrive at our doorstep, each shipment a reminder of this beautiful area of France. Needless to say, our cellar is well stocked with Ferrando’s magic.
2022 Famille Isabel Ferrando Châteauneuf-du-Pape White - One of my all-time favorite whites — elegant, layered, and irresistibly delicious. It opens with beautiful freshness and a delicate mineral edge, leading into a long, graceful finish that lingers with every sip. A stunning example of balance and finesse from Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
2020 Famille Isabel Ferrando Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red - A medium-to-full-bodied Rhône red that feels both classic and effortlessly refined. Notes of ripe red fruit unfold with silky texture and lovely depth, finishing smooth and satisfying. A perfect expression of Ferrando’s craftsmanship and the soul of the southern Rhône.
See you next month! Santé!
