“I liked the wines that came from the slopes, I found those from the plains very average”. These words of Georges Vernay sum up his contribution to Condrieu. Thanks to Georges, the abandoned, steep slopes here were given new life in the 1960s. In fact, this determined man had the genius intuition to cultivate vines on the “chaillées”, or terraces, aptly known as the “chaillées de l'enfer” (terraces from hell)! The history of this property goes back to 1938 when Francis Vernay planted his first hectare of Viognier. Georges Vernay joined in 1943 and expanded the estate by buying some parcels. He opened a tasting room that earned him a loyal English customer base. From 1943 to 2010, the estate went from 1 to 24 hectares, 17 of which are located on steep slopes. The vines are spread across three appellations: Condrieu (10ha), Côte-Rôtie (6ha) and Saint-Joseph (2ha), with 2 IGP wine made from Syrah and Viognier (6ha). Since his death in 2017, it has been his daughter Christine who has kept the family tradition alive alongside her daughter, Emma.

The wine entirely made from Syrah comes from old vines growing in the hamlet of Maison-Rouge. Structured, fine and elegant, it is crafted using organic practices without the use of machines in the vineyard. In the cellar, the grapes are completely destemmed, and vinification takes place in open wooden barrels and vats. The wine then spends between 3 to 4 weeks in these vessels, Before being left to age for 24 months in barrels (30% of which are new). Its deep red colour shifts from ruby red to purple to black and the wine reveals aromas of black fruits, oriental spices and smoke. Its firm tannins melt into the wine with time, offering a silky texture. Over time – it really is best to leave this wine in the cellar for many years – this Côte-Rôtie develops liquorice and cigar aromas.