Vineyards: these cover 2 communes in the French Department of the Loire, Saint-Michel sur Rhône and Vérin, on the right bank of the river.
Soil types: granitic sand on steep terraces.
Climate: very hot summers, mild winters, regular rainfall.
Aspect: full South, very sunny, sheltered from the North winds.
Background: these vineyards have existed at least since Roman times. From the 17th and 18th Centuries the wine has been regularly mentioned in the diaries of travellers and wine lovers! Nowadays this small but renowned domain has one sole owner.
Château-Grillet was consecrated as a Local A.O.C. in 1936.
Area under cultivation*: 3,5 hectares, yearly production: 90 hl, basic yield : 26 hl/hectare.
* Source: harvest statement 2004.
Grape variety mix: Exclusively Viognier.
Pruning: the vine is cut back to a “brochet”(an old bud from the previous year) leaving an “arçon” or “archet” (stem) of 6 to 7 eyes.
Wine making: natural alcohol content by volume 11% minimum.
Maturing: at least 2 years in oak casks.
