“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 domaine goes back to 1938 when Francis Vernay planted his first hectare of Viognier. Georges Vernay joined in 1943 and expanded the domain by buying some parcels. He opened a tasting room that earned him a loyal English customer base. From 1943 to 2010, the domaine went from 1 to 22 hectares. Since his death in 2017, it has been his daughter Christine who has kept the family tradition alive. The vines are worked by hand and all chemical products are banned.

A beautiful bouquet of almost candied dark fruits, spices like pepper as well as hints of black olives come together with a pleasant minerality in this delightful Saint-Joseph. Its structure is already supple, making it a very enjoyable wine that you might want to pair with a dish like stuffed tomatoes.