Maison Guigal

The history of the estate

Founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in Ampuis, a small village that is the birthplace of Côte-Rôtie, Maison Guigal is an iconic estate set in land that has celebrated wine and vines for over two millennia. In the 1980s, after decades of family work and love of the vine, Guigal acquired Etablissements Vidal Fleury, which remained totally independent in terms of sales and identity. In 1995, the famous Château d'Ampuis was acquired, located on the banks of the Rhône and one of the region's historic and oenological landmarks.

Keen to develop its knowledge of the world of wine, the company launched its cooperage business in 2003. This artisanal know-how consists in creating the barrels in which the wine is stored during vinification. This gives the estate additional technical control over the winemaking process.

The domaine continued its acquisitions with the purchase of Domaine de Bonserine in 2006 and Château de Nalys in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 2017, giving it a foothold in the southern Rhône Valley. Today, the vintages produced under the Maison Guigal name are crafted in over three hectares of cellars and galleries.

Expertise

As the Maison Guigal has grown, it has gradually acquired expertise in viticulture and winemaking. Ancestral gestures have been handed down from generation to generation, and today they are blended with modern winemaking tools, resulting in wines of singular, complex character.

All the wines are matured in oak casks produced in-house. Only these barrels can fully exploit the potential of the terroir's vines, bringing out all their substance and fruit. Oak also imparts subtle woody and vanilla nuances.

A multiplicity of vineyards

Maison Guigal has developed an integrated approach to agriculture, marked by respect for the land that nourishes us. Taking care of the terraces and respecting the vines, paying attention to the terroir at every moment and listening to nature's signals, enables this vineyard of passionate men and women to extract the greatest potential from the wines produced.

The estate is divided into six vineyards stretching from south of Lyon to north of Avignon: Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Saint-Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Each has its own micro-terroir and micro-climate, giving rise to unique wines with a distinctive character.

The wines

Maison Guigal has the prestige of offering a very wide range of wines, from less than a dozen euros to several hundred. Discover three wines representative of this wide range.

The Côte du Rhône rouge is a house classic, made with 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre. It boasts a deep, brilliant red color, with a beautiful nose of black fruits enhanced by a hint of spice. On the palate, it is full-bodied and racy, with mellow tannins and a certain aromatic intensity. All in all, a complete wine with good persistence.

The Condrieu, made from 100% Viognier, is a harmonious wine that combines freshness and fruit. Its bright, limpid golden color reveals an intense nose of white fruit, citrus and violet. Fresh and round on the palate. It's a dry wine, but with a good dose of fat and smoothness.

The "La Mouline" cuvée in Côte-Rôtie is 89% Syrah and 11% Viognier. An exceptional cru from the estate, this wine boasts a ruby-red color with bright vermilion highlights. Its nose is characterized by small red fruits and floral aromas of violets, powerful yet delicate. On the palate, the wine offers a supple entry with a beautiful harmony between the finesse of the aromas and the explosive richness of this concentrated wine. All in all, a feminine, voluptuous wine with silky velvet and intense aromas.