François Villard trained as a chef before setting up his estate in 1989 following his sommelier and viticultural training. He favours late harvesting so that they berries are perfectly concentrated. Today, his estate spans 42 hectares over nearly all the appellations in the region (except Hermitage) and it has become a standout name in the Rhône. Since 2022, the entire property has been certified organic.
François also took part in a joint project called Vins de Vienne to replant the old Seyssuel area. He undertook this with two other master winemakers, Yves Cuilleron (Domaine Cuilleron) and Pierre Gaillard (Domaine Pierre Gaillard). The initiative was a great success.
François loves to build, and with each vintage he creates new vats for his wine that he christens with a comical name, normally a play on words. He produces 400,000 bottles a year and is adored by enthusiasts and critics alike.

Syrah and Viognier come from the locality of La Brocarde located in Ampuis and are grown in a sustainable manner. Both come from old vines which are about twenty years old which grow on the soils of quartz schist. François Villard here produces a rather small cuvée (1,200 bottles) with interesting ageing potential which can last 15 years. On the palette, its woodiness delivers notes of mocha. This doesn’t however prevent the fruit from expressing itself. Dense and structured, it is blessed with great length.