In-house Cooperage
Every detail matters to the Guigal family. And since their Northern Rhône wines, particularly the Hermitage and La Las, are famously long-aged in oak – wines that are intended for long term maturation – they wouldn’t risk that oak being any less than the best.
Which is why they are the only winery in the Rhône to operate their own cooperage. Set up in 2003, it gives Guigal complete control over their barrels and the ageing process. Almost 1000 barrels are produced a year, all from the finest, tight-grained French oak, and made to measure.
It takes years of experience to attain the skills of a cooper – which is why most wineries prefer to simply buy their casks. But, like our friends at Maison Louis Latour in Burgundy, Guigal see the process as integral to protecting their house style, and too big a factor in the character of their wines to outsource to others.
For a deeper dive into all things Guigal, find a superb interview with Philippe produced by Guy Woodward for 67 Pall Mall here.
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