Domaine Jean-Michel Gerin

Ampuis

The Gerins consider the vine to be part of the family and they dedicate a lot of time to it… in order not to spend too much time in the winery afterwards. This credo has become a deep-held conviction: “The terroir creates everything” and, above all, the fantastic wines that originate from these spectacular “lieux-dits”. Jean-Michel has put his name on one of them, and he has also put Ampuis on the world wine map. His sons Michaël and Alexis – the 6th generation to cultivate the vines on these hillsides – work alongside him with the same passion they had as children, the same keen eye and the same attention to detail. Because although the terroir is all important, nothing can be achieved without a great deal of hard work. “You can’t do this job saying ‘I’m going to do what Dad did”. It’s a long-term process. We’re constantly evolving. Our parents’ generation rebuilt the AOC and our generation has to build on that and keep moving forward”. This mindset is demonstrated by the domaine’s conversion to organic growing, obtaining certification in 2023. “It’s a natural step and one that’s producing surprising results. The vines are enjoying the benefit and they will reward us.”

Vineyards

AOC CÔTE RÔTIE: 13.5 ha, planting density 10,000 vines/ha in micaschist; 9.5 ha for the “Champin le Seigneur” wine; 1.3 ha in the “Les Grandes-Places” lieu-dit; 0.4 ha in the “La Landonne” lieu-dit; 1.8 ha in the “La Viallière” lieu-dit; 0.7 ha in the “Côte-Bodin” lieu-dit.
AOC CONDRIEU: 2 ha for the La Loye wine, planting density 10,000 vines/ha in granite, 0.5 ha in the “Les Eguets” lieu-dit.
All the domaine’s vines have been certified organic since 2023.

Cellar

CÔTE RÔTIE: harvested by hand and transported in small 25 kg crates. 100% de-stemmed. 4 to 5 weeks fermentation and maceration in temperature-controlled vats. Malolactic fermentation in barrel. Aged for 20 months in barrel.
CONDRIEU: harvested by hand, pneumatic pressing. 12 months fermentation in vat and/or barrel.

Wines

CÔTE RÔTIE • Champin Le Seigneur: Syrah (95%) and Viognier (5%). A blend of various hillside plots. Aged 20 months in barrels (30% new) • Les Grandes Places: Syrah (100%). Lieu-dit located in the northern part of the Côte Rôtie AOC. Aged for 20 months in barrels (40% new) • La Landonne: Syrah (100%). Lieu-dit located in the heart of the AOC. 20 months ageing in barrels (40% new) • La Viallière: Syrah (100%). Lieu-dit located in the northern part of the AOC. 20 months ageing in demi-muids (500 litres) (40% new). Côte-Bodin: Syrah (100%) Lieu-dit in the heart of the AOC, aged for 20 months (20% new barrels) • CONDRIEU • La Loye: Viognier (100%). Blend of two plots • Les Eguets: Viognier (100%) located in the commune of Chavanay, aged in demi-muids for 12 months (25% new) • IGP DES COLLINES RHODANIENNES • La Champine Syrah (100%). Vinification and ageing in stainless steel vats. • La Champine Viognier (100%). Vinification and ageing in stainless steel vats.