Saint Damien was an early Christian saint (martyred in the year 287 A.D.), considered the patron saint of doctors. A chapel was built in his honour in the tiny hamlet of La Baumette, just outside the village of Gigondas, where Joel Saurel, the domain owner, lives. In 1979, the name Saint Damien was introduced into the name of the domain. Four generations have worked on this family estate since 1821, and in 2013, Romain joined his father on the estate. It has been certified organic since 2012.

The vineyards are located in the relatively new appellation of Plan de Dieu, which translates as Plan of God in English. Despite the first historical mentions of the "Plan Dei", which dates back to a parchment from 1326, the lieu-dit of Plan de Dieu has only designated a red wine-producing appellation in 2005. The climate here is classic Mediterranean with the additional influence of the Mistral winds. The terroir sits on an alluvial plateau with calcareous gravel, which retains water, helping to preserve the vines during the hot and often arid summer months.