HISTORY OF DOMAINE: The Cuilleron family domaine, located in the town of Chavanay, was founded several generations ago. Yves Cuilleron's grandfather was the first to bottle wine for commercial purposes in 1947. Antoine Cuilleron, the uncle and immediate predecessor of Yves, significantly increased the percentage of wine bottled at the estate and extended the scope of the domaine. Yves assumed full ownership and direction in 1987 and, since that time, has built an entirely new facility while at the same time acquiring additional vineyard property. The domaine now produces about 50,000 bottles annually divided between the appellations of St. Joseph Blanc, St. Joseph Rouge, Cote Rotie and Condrieu.

COMPOSITION OF DOMAINE: Most of the vineyards are situated in and around the commune of Chavanay which is just south of the town of Condrieu. The St. Joseph Blanc is produced from Marsanne and Roussane varietals which are grown in two parcels: "Verlieu" and "Le Peche". Three separate cuvees are produced: "Lyzeras" (100% Marsanne), "Le Lombard" (100% old vines Marsanne), and "Coteau St. Pierre" (100% Roussanne). Annual production is extremely limited. The St. Joseph Rouge, derived entirely from Syrah, is vinified into three separate cuvees: "Les Pierres Seches", "Cuvee Prestige L'Amarybelle" and "Les Serines". About 25,000 bottles of the "Pierres Seches" is produced yearly while the "Cuvee Prestige" is limited to approximately 7,000 bottles. The "Cuvee Prestige" is composed of grapes harvested from two distinct parcels, "La Cote" and "Les Vessettes", both of which are south/southeast facing and situated mid-hill. The "Les Serines" cuvee is produced in exceedingly limited quantities. Vineyards in the southern part of the Cote Rotie appellation were recently acquired and a small quantity (about 1500 bottles) of the Cote Rotie "Coteau de Bassenon" is now available annually. Cuilleron produces approximately 12,000 to 15,000 bottles of Condrieu each year. This production is separated, assuming growing conditions allow, into three separate cuvees: "La Petite Cote", an old vines cuvee "Les Chaillets", and a late harvest cuvee "Les Ayguets". The parcels of Viognier are found in and around Chavanay.

METHOD OF VINIFICATION: Prior to 1990 the whites were vinified in tank and the reds in large oak "foudres". Since 1990, most of the St. Joseph Blanc and Condrieu is fermented in small oak barrels with the rest in stainless steel. The whites are bottled in late spring of the year following harvest. All whites go through malolactic fermentation. The reds undergo a long cuvasion and are aged in both medium and small sized oak barrels with a small percentage of new oak utilized. The reds are aged 20 months in barrel and then bottled with a light fining and no filtration. Note that the Cote Rotie is composed of Syrah plus 10% Viognier.