History

As long as two thousand years ago, the Latin authors Martial, Pliny the Elder and the Greek Plutarch celebrated Côte-Rôtie wine under the name of "Viennese wine". The first precise written documents concerning Ampuis and Côte-Rôtie date back to the 6th century. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the reputation of Ampuis wines continued to grow, and in the 18th century, Côte-Rôtie wines were shipped to the royal tables of England, Russia, Prussia and, of course, France. The vineyard reached its peak in 1890, when the smallest folds of sun-exposed slopes were cultivated. The vineyard had withstood attacks from phylloxera and other diseases, but the Great War of 1914-1918 claimed 150 of the vineyard's winegrowers, condemning part of the slopes to abandonment. In 1940, the "Côte Rôtie" appellation d'origine contrôlée was created to protect this prestigious wine. By 1960, only around 60 hectares remained in production. The 1980s saw the real revival of the vineyard. The appellation experienced a new dynamism and gained international recognition.

Terroir & Climate

The Côte-Rôtie vineyard is located on the slopes of the right bank of the Rhône and covers three production communes: Saint-Cyr-sur-Rhône, Ampuis and Tupin-Semons. The vineyards lie between 180 and 325 meters above sea level. There are 73 classified "lieux-dits". Today, some 300 hectares are in production. With its southern exposure and low sensitivity to northerly winds, the appellation has the characteristics of a temperate continental climate known as "Lyonnais": winters are mild, summers are hot and rainfall is relatively regular. The Mediterranean influence is felt through a drying southerly wind. The steep slopes of Côte-Rôtie can sometimes exceed 60 degrees. The Côte-Rôtie appellation is situated on metamorphic rocks: to the north, brown-colored soils resting on a bedrock of Micaschists, and to the south, blond-colored soils resting on a bedrock of Gneiss and Migmatites. In Côte-Rôtie, the bedrock has numerous fractures that allow the vine roots to draw water and nutrients.

Grape varieties & Wine typicity

Côte-Rôtie is the only red wine of the northern Côtes du Rhône to be able to blend Viognier (up to 20%) with Syrah. Syrah produces quality wines, highly colored and rich in tannins. Viognier adds finesse and aroma to Syrah. The wine's color is deep ruby. Côte-Rôtie wines are characterized by their complexity and richness, with notes of black fruits, spices and pepper. They are aged in oak barrels to add depth and structure to the wines.

Our parcels in AOC Côte-Rôtie

Our plots are located at Bassenon, in the commune of Tupin & Semons, and La Viallière in the commune of Ampuis. The main grape variety planted is Syrah. We also have a few Viognier vines. Planting density is 9,000 vines per hectare. The vines have an average age of 40 years. They are trained on stakes on steep slopes, with short goblet pruning. Or trellised, with double cordon de Royat pruning on less steep slopes. The variety of terroirs we're lucky enough to work with gives rise to 3 Côte-Rôtie cuvées with distinct profiles. Eminence, juicy, fresh and spicy. Vires de Serine, full-bodied, charming and intense. Les 400 de la Viallière, racy, floral and spicy.