The Château d'Ampuis on the banks of the Rhône is the headquarters of the world-famous E. Guigal winery. The house stands for the value of family, for great care and precision. The result is wines of outstanding quality that have already received numerous awards.What meaning does happiness take on when the fulfilled person claims it exclusively for himself? Albert Schweitzer observed that positive feelings are doubled when they are shared. The Guigal family has dedicated itself to the production of great wines - a vinophilic form of happiness. Etienne Guigal laid the foundations of this very special family history in 1946 on the sun-drenched slopes of the Côte-Rôtie appellation in the northern Rhône Valley. Following his dedication, his grandson Philippe is now the third generation to create the finest wines: "I want to carry on this family legacy with the same passion and create intense and authentic emotions with the excellent wines of the Rhône terroir, vintage after vintage," says the oenologist, describing his very personal drive. The winery cultivates 75 hectares in the northern Rhône alone. In addition, the house trades in wines from appellations in the southern Rhône valley and has ventured further into the plains in recent years with the acquisition of vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Tavel and Lirac.
Granite, slate, gneiss and clay-limestone make up the soils of the vineyards, which are shaped by the Rhône and carefully cultivated by hand on steep terraces. In addition to the appellation Côte-Rôtie with its noble single vineyards La Mouline, La Landonne and La Turque, whose wines have been awarded 100 Parker points several times, Domaine Guigal today also offers growths from the renowned appellations of origin Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, Condrieu and Crozes-Hermitage. "Out of respect and understanding of these complex terroirs came the desire to make parcel-by-parcel cuvées to illuminate all the richness and diversity that exists within a single appellation," Philippe tells us about Guigal's Grands Crus. "We are also planning the first bottling of a fourth cru," he says curiously, and at the same time asks gourmets for a little more patience for this next step. But what would the best grape be if its potential could not be revealed in all its opulence thanks to careful vinification?
"In our cellars, there is a subtle balance between time-honoured knowledge and state-of-the-art technology," Philippe tells us. In order to constantly refine this art, the great wines of the House of Guigal are stored in oak barrels from their own cooperage. In the traditionally made barriques, they are allowed to develop their fine structure and authentic body for up to four years. To share the result of this process, as well as the history and heritage of the 2000-year-old wine region, with wine lovers, the Guigal family has created the perfect setting in the historic buildings "Le Caveau du Château" in Ampuis. "A great wine is at its best when shared in a convivial atmosphere. When it then becomes the bearer of emotions, this wine from the house of Guigal fulfils its full purpose," concludes the busy oenologist. How easy it is to duplicate pure happiness...
We cordially invite you to discover this great winery with 2019 Cotes du Rhone rouge in March at our wein.plus:club online tastings. Places, available for either B2B or end consumers, are very limited.
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