Wine for sale: Johann Michel

Johann Michel

Nestling in the heart of the Rhône Valley, in Saint-Péray, the domain traces its perilous history back to 1939, through the hard work of François Michel. Unfortunately, the devastation of the war impacted on his land, and he was forced to lease his vineyard to the Courbis domain. It wasn’t until 1988 that the vineyard was taken over by the current winemaker’s father, Johann. He has been running this flourishing domain of around five hectares since 1997. Spread over some fifteen parcels, the Syrah, Marsanne and Roussanne vines are cultivated entirely by hand, from pruning to harvesting, including leaves thinning and tying down. Johann favours plant-based herbal teas and organic fertilisers, and uses neither pesticides nor insecticides. In the winery, the winemaker’s non-interventionist methods produce distinctive terroir wines that perfectly reflect the grape varieties and the wealth of the soils.