JEAN-MICHEL GERIN

Farming an incredible lot of 12 hectares in the Côte-Rôtie and another of a similar size (and quality) in Condrieu, Jean-Michel Gerin is one of the acknowledged masters of the region, imbuing Syrah with a wonderful purity and bringing out the full richness of Viognier. He is not only one of the great characters but also one of the greatest winemakers in the Northern Rhône.

Gerin’s winemaking methods aim for fragrance and sumptuous texture, with the wines’ substance based on fruit purity rather than tannic mass. The grapes are destemmed and 50-60% new oak is used during élevage. The wines don’t display an ounce of that “new oak” flavour. They are remarkably integrated and exude fruit purity.

Jean-Michel Gerin produces five Côte-Rôtie wines – Les Grandes Places, Champin Le Seigneur, La Vialliere, Cote Bodin and La Landonne. Gerin also produces a Condrieu and a Saint Joseph.

The Domaine is still headed by Jean-Michel with both his sons – Alexis and Michael – working alongside him, taking the reigns into the future.