E. Guigal
The Guigal Domaine was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in the ancient village of Ampuis, home to the wines of the Côte-Rôtie. These vineyards are over 2,400 years old, and the small terraced walls - characteristic of the Roman period - are still visible today.
Etienne Guigal arrived in this region in 1923 at the age of 14. During his lifetime he made over 67 vintages, and at the beginning of his career he participated in the development of Vidal-Fleury. Despite his young age, Marcel Guigal took over from his father in 1961. Marcel’s hard work and perseverance enabled the Guigals to buy Vidal-Fleury in 1984, although the establishment retains its own identity and commercial autonomy. In total, the vineyards of the Guigal estate cover over 75 hectares, including illustrious plots in the Côte Rôtie; ‘La Landonne’, ‘La Mouline’ and ‘La Turque’, Condrieu ‘La Doriane’, Hermitage ‘Ex-Voto’ and many more, all of which have become flagships of their appellations. In addition to acquiring many exceptional vineyards over the years, the Guigal family bought and lovingly restored the Château d’Ampuis, situated on the Rhône River with the backdrop of the Côte Brune and Côte Blonde hills. In 2006, the Guigals expanded their cellars in Ampuis, so that wine from both the Northern and the Southern appellations of the Rhône Valley could be produced and aged in these cellars. The upper level holds vast stainless steel vats, whilst the underground level holds some 5,000 barrels and larger oak foudres. Ever determined to improve the quality of their wines, they established a cooperage in 2003 in the grounds of the Château d’Ampuis. It is here that all the barrels used in the maturation of the Guigal wines are assembled and toasted.
Today, Philippe Guigal is the third generation to continue the family’s tradition of producing some of the Rhône Valley’s greatest wines. United as a family, Bernadette, Marcel, Philippe and Eve all work together to develop their family-owned and family-run enterprise.
All of the Guigal estate vineyards are situated in the Northern Rhône, and each one is managed by a vigneron team who are overseen by Marcel and Philippe Guigal. All of these vineyards are harvested by hand. The wines produced from the Southern Rhône are purchased under long-term contracts and the Guigals pay the highest price for their fruit. For their Côtes du Rhône alone, they can pay up to three times as much as the standard price, to ensure they obtain the best quality fruit.
Awards and Medals
The Guigal family are internationally recognised for producing some of the greatest wines in the Rhône Valley and have received many awards and accolades over the years.
In 2006, Marcel Guigal was awarded Decanter Man of the Year for his outstanding contribution to the development of the Rhône area. Wine writer Stephen Brook, is also recorded
as saying that “Marcel Guigal is the name to be reckoned with in the Rhône. His family-run company produces many of the region’s, if not the world’s, best wines – whether great value or high end.”
In addition, all three of Guigal’s most treasured cuvées: ‘La Landonne’, ‘La Mouline’, and ‘La Turque’ have scored 100 Robert Parker points for many vintages, placing the estate among the most awarded domaine in the world. In 2009, the Château d’Ampuis Côte Rôtie 2004 won ‘The World’s Greatest Shiraz’ challenge, in a line-up of nearly 800 wines from all over the world judged by Winestate – an Australian magazine. The ‘Brune et Blonde’ Côte Rôtie 2003 snapped up third place.
The Domaine Treasures
Côte-Rôtie ‘La Landonne’, ‘La Mouline’, and ‘La Turque’ and ‘Château d’Ampuis’, Condrieu ‘La Doriane’, Saint-Joseph Lieu-Dit Red & White, Saint-Joseph ‘Vignes de l’Hospice’ and Ermitage ‘Ex-Voto’ Red & White.
Collection Wines
Northern Rhône: Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Hermitage Red & White, Saint-Joseph Red & White, Crozes-Hermitage Red & White.
Southern Rhône: Châteaneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Tavel, and Côtes du Rhône Red, White & Rosé.
