| Region of production: | Condrieu |
| Winery Location: | Condrieu |
| Year Established: | 1953 |
Vineyard Holdings
6.48 ha
20 ha total
Condrieu: 7 ha; soil is decomposed granite and arzelle
- Vernon: 2 ha, planted in 1936 and the 1960s
- La Caille: 2 ha, planted in 1957
- St. Agathe: 2 ha
Côte-Rôtie: 2.55 ha; soil is decomposed granite in the southern end of the appellation
- Maison Rouge: 0.9 ha, planted in 1924 and 1972
- Côteaux de Semons
- Lancement
Top Wines Produced
- Condrieu “Terrasses de l’Empire”: produced mostly from St. Agathe; vines average 40 years
- Condrieu “Chaillées de l’Enfer”: from La Caille; the small terraces, or chaillées in the local dialect, were frequently referred to as “à l’enfer” or “in hell” by local vignerons
- Condrieu “Coteau du Vernon”: the flagship bottling from the Vernon cru directly above the winery; now includes the 1960s era plantings with the estate’s oldest vines from 1936, which were planted by Georges’ father Francis (interestingly, this flagship vineyard that’s so closely identified with the estate was only purchased by the Vernays in 2000; it had been leased for the previous three generations)
- Côte-Rôtie “Maison Rouge”: 100% Syrah from the plot of the same name
- Côte-Rôtie “Blonde du Seigneur”: 92% Syrah, 8% Viognier
Inaugural Vintages
- Condrieu “Chaillées de l’Enfer” in 1992
- Condrieu “Coteau de Vernon” in 1953
- Côte-Rôtie “Blonde de Seigneur” in 2000
Average Total Production
- 144,000 bottles
Summary
Georges Vernay is a legendary figure in Condrieu, largely recognized for rescuing the appellation by internationally promoting the wines of the village when only eight hectares remained in cultivation in 1965. Georges began working in the vineyards with his father Francis at the age of 15, and today the estate is managed by his daughter Christine, who returned to the family domaine in 1996 to take over from her father – becoming the only female in the area to run a domaine at the time. The estate produces superb, elegant Condrieu wines, and Christine has markedly improved the quality of the reds. In addition to the flagship AOP wines produced here, the domaine produces excellent Vins de Pays wines from Viognier and Syrah grown in higher altitude vineyards on the plateau above Condrieu.
Style & Vinification Techniques
The wines are modern and clean in style, with elegance and finesse clearly a goal for both the white and red. The red wines are completely de-stemmed across the range, and top red bottlings see about 30% new oak. All of the whites are whole-cluster pressed, with the Condrieu wines fermented entirely in wood. “Terrasses de l’Empire” is fermented and aged in large, old foudres; the “Chaillées de l’Enfer” and “Coteau du Vernon” are fermented in barriques (about 25% new each year). The various Vins de Pays are generally vinified and aged in stainless steel. Contrary to many opinions on the ageability of Condrieu, the “Coteau du Vernon” bottling has shown the ability to last.
Producer Website: Georges Vernay