Louis Cheze

Limony

A self-taught winegrower with just one hectare of vineyard plots scattered around Saint-Joseph: this is how Louis Chèze got started in 1978. He has built his wine domaine in his own way, combining the energy of perseverance with the art of reappraising himself with each vintage. The man who used to say he made wine “on the fly” in his early days has become a master winemaker whose characteristic stamp is highly respected. But he has always kept his eye on the goal: to remain straightforward and accessible. His children have followed in his footsteps, taking charge of the domaine while Louis takes a step back. Benoît concentrates on managing the vineyards, Camille on administration and sales. Soon, both will be making the wine. Values, patience and passion have already been passed on. “But we’re giving ourselves time to effect the handover. It would have been a mistake to do it too quickly. We have three points of view, so we always have to listen and talk to each other.” The family spirit is cultivated with the same care as the vines… This is how the wines’ hallmark character is perpetuated.

Vineyards

16 ha AOP SAINT JOSEPH RED: Syrah grape variety. 6 ha AOP SAINT JOSEPH WHITE: Roussanne and Marsanne grape varieties. 5 ha AOP CONDRIEU, Viognier grape variety. 1 ha AOP CÔTE-RÔTIE: Syrah grape variety. 14 ha IGP, Syrah, Marsanne and Viognier grape varieties. • SOILS: Limony granite slopes.

Cellar

REDS: harvested by hand and transported in small crates, first sorting on a sorting table, destemming, followed by a second sorting of the grape berries on a vibrating sorting table and then vatted by gravity. Long fermentation in temperature-controlled vats, followed by malolactic fermentation in barrels. • WHITES: Harvested by hand and transported in small 10 kg crates. Bunches sorted on a vibrating table, presses filled by gravity. Cold settling, transfer of the clear musts into barrels. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrels.

Wines

SAINT JOSEPH RED • Cuvée des Anges: Syrah (100%). Very old vines, yield 25 hl/ha, aged 20 months 100% new barrels.
SAINT JOSEPH RED • Cuvée Caroline: Syrah (100%). Old vines, yield 35 hl/ha, aged 14 months in barrels (25% new).
SAINT JOSEPH RED • Cuvée Ro-Rée: Syrah (100%). Age of vines: 15 years. Yield 40 hl/ha, aged in barrels.
SAINT JOSEPH WHITE • Cuvée Ro-Rée: Marsanne (60%), Roussanne (40%). Age of vines: 20 years. Vinification and ageing in barrels.
CONDRIEU • Pagus Luminis: Viognier (100%). Vinification and ageing in barrels.
CONDRIEU • Brèze: Viognier (100%). Harvested when very ripe, vinification, “bâtonnage” (stirring of the lees) and ageing in barrels (30% new).