Côte-Rôtie is a sub wine region in France's northern Rhône wine region, situated south of Vienne in the communes of Saint-Cyr-sur-le-Rhône, Ampuis, and Tupin-et-Semons. Read more
Guigal Winery Guide
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Last updated: November 24, 2023
Winery Overview
Guigal is rightly considered one of the Rhône’s most important wine producers, famous for their resurrection of Côte-Rôtie during the 1970s and 80s. From their base in beautiful riverside Ampuis, this legendary outfit makes an extensive range of wines produced from the length and breadth of the Rhône Valley. They are far and away the largest producer of Cote Rotie, in addition to owning Domaine de Vallouit and the merchant house of Vidal Fleury, which makes it all the more astonishing, considering the impressive volumes being made, that the quality at this superlative estate is so consistent. Nothing less than exceptional wine leaves the cellar doors of Guigal, a testament to the hard work, dedication, and know-how of this dynamic family.
The Guigal family has a long and distinguished history as Rhône winemakers. Etienne Guigal founded the original domaine in 1946 in Ampuis, a small, historic village at the heart of the Côte-Rôtie Appellation. Over the decades, Etienne built a formidable reputation for his singular expression of the Côte-Rôtie terroir and personally vinified over 65 vintages. Sadly, blindness struck Etienne in the 1960s, and his son Marcel was forced to take over the domaine. A man of unparalleled dynamism and vision, Marcel expanded the family business and purchased the now-famous Château d’Ampuis in 1995. This stunning property has become synonymous with producing powerful and structured Cote Rotie, released in minimal quantities and not surprisingly at stratospheric prices.
Today, Guigal continues to be the Rhône’s foremost innovator and quality-led producer of an exciting and diverse selection of wines. Their careful expansion policy – including Domaine de Bonserine in 2003 – has paid dividends, allowing the family to acquire vineyards in exceptional terroirs throughout the region. The domaine is now largely run by Philippe and Eve’s third-generation husband and wife team, who have even expanded their remit into barrel making at the gorgeous Châteaud’Ampuis. And while their vibrant range of wines is a model of consistency, the Ampuis labels excite connoisseurs and collectors. Phillipe’s top three cuvées, La Mouline, La Landonne, and La Turque, are super-rich, extracted, age-worthy wines seasoned with a healthy proportion of new oak. However, their balance and extraordinary finesse are still more important. All 3 are truly profound wines with that extra dimension and depth rarely encountered in this venerable region. But then, what else do you expect from such an accomplished team like the Guigal family!
Wines produced
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2011 Châteaud'Ampuis
93% Syrah, 7% Viognier. Fermentation takes place in closed stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged for a period of 38 months in new French oak. A complex, structured Cote Rotie that will improve greatly with bottle age. -
2011 La Mouline
89% Syrah, 11% Viognier. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, with a four week maceration time. The wine is then aged for a period of 42 months in new French oak. A powerful example of Cote Rotie that will benefit from extended cellaring. -
2011 E Guigal Hermitage (Red)
100% Syrah. Fermentation takes place in vats, with a four week maceration time. The wine is then aged for a period of 36 months in 50% new French oak. Accessible on release, Hermitage will benefit from cellaring. -
2011 E Guigal St Joseph (Red)
100% Syrah. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at high temperatures. The wine is then aged for a period of approximately 16 months in one-year-old French oak. -
2011 E Guigal Condrieu
100% Viognier. Fermented at low temperatures in 1/3 new French oak and 2/3 stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged in 100% new French oak for a varying period of time, depending on the vintage. -
2011 E Guigal “Ex Voto” Ermitage
100% Syrah. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, with a four week maceration time. The wine is then aged for 42 months in new French oak. -
2011 E Guigal Crozes-Hermitage (red)
100% Syrah. Fermented in stainless steel vats at high temperatures, with a three week maceration time. The wine is then aged for 18 months in used French oak. A softer, more approachable Rhône Syrah accessible on release. -
2011 E Guigal St Joseph (White)
95% Marsanne, 5% Rousanne. Fermented and aged in a combination of stainless steel tanks and oak barrels.
Winery Contact Details
Guigal
18 Avenue Dr Paul Durand, 3333026600, Tain-l'Hermitage, Rhône
France
Email: [email protected]
Tel +33 (0) 04 74 56 10 22
Fax +33 (0) 04 74 56 18 76 Find out more
Facts & Figures
Appellation
AOC Côte-Rôtie
Founded
1946
Area under Vine
60 Hectares
Age of vines
30 years+
Oak barrel origin
French
Winemaker
Philippe Guigal
Owner
Guigal family
Production
7 million bottles per annum
Grape varietals
Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache, Clairette, Mourvedre, Cinsault and others
Grape Varieties Used by the Winery
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Clairette
Savor Clairette blanche, a captivating white wine grape from France's Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Provence, Rhône, and Languedoc vineyards
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Marsanne
Uncover the allure of Marsanne grape variety. From its traditional role in Rhône blends to the new wave of single-varietal Marsanne wines.
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Roussanne
Learn about Roussanne, the elegant white grape native to Rhône. Often blended with Marsanne, explore its unique qualities and rich heritage in our guide.
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Viognier
Viognier comes from the northern Rhône valley AOC of Condrieu and is where its most famous white wines are produced.
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Cinsault
Cinsault is a red wine grape that is important in the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region of France because of its tolerance to high temperatures.
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Grenache
Discover grenache, a mediterranean grape that is dark-skinned red wine grape variety and an unlikely hero of a grape
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Mourvedre
Mourvèdre is a red wine grape variety of mysterious origin that's grown around the world, including the Rhone and Provence regions of France.
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Syrah
Syrah is dark-skinned and perhaps the most underrated of the 'noble' red grape varieties.
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Winery Appellations
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