The ground at Domaine de Gadagne en Azurions is marked by the violence wrought by the Rhone river. It consists of a layer of marine molasses (sandstone) of the Miocene period, covered by alpine alluvium. The presence in this topsoil of a great number of rounded stones, known as "galets", bears evidence of the time when the Rhone, then a torrent, tore fragments of rock from the Alps and deposited them along its course.

This is the story of the typical soil of Domaine de Gadagne en Azurions. These "galets" make a significant contribution to the quality of the wines: they retain the heat of the day and radiate it to the vines during the night.

The meso-climate here plays an important role: low rainfall, the Mistral wind that clears the air and keeps it dry, and strong and continuous sun.

All these components - notably the spectacular differences between high and low temperatures - combine and complement each other to give the vineyard of Domaine de Gadagne en Azurions its particular qualities and originality (the characteristics of a "grand cru").

The nature of the soil is stony, well aerated and free-draining. The vine puts down strong roots here. Amongst the effects of this soil:

             - the upper surface warms up very quickly in spring

             - water drains off fast

             - the vines suffer during summer drought