François Villard, Condrieu DePoncins, St-Michel-sur-Rhône, Northern Rhône, France, 2022

Producer Profile

François’ empire keeps growing, but he still keeps a tight reign on the operations, whilst being open to sharing his knowledge and passion for his region.

The recently expanded winery perched above Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, once modest in size, is now brimming with vats and barrels—yet the exceptional quality remains unwavering. François Villard’s distinguished estate, founded in 1989 by the former chef turned winemaker, has grown to encompass over 40 hectares of vineyards, alongside an additional 25 hectares sourced from trusted growers. Producing around 450,000 bottles annually, the domaine offers a diverse portfolio of 23 cuvées from some of the northern Rhône Valley’s most celebrated appellations, including Condrieu, Côte-Rôtie, Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas, and Saint-Péray. These wines regularly grace the tables of top restaurants worldwide, a testament to their enduring excellence.

Viticulture

The Deponcins vineyard is a south‑facing lieu‑dit in Saint‑Michel‑sur‑Rhône, nestled just outside the Condrieu appellation. Its soils are composed of decomposed micaceous granite—richly mineral and free‑draining—often covered by sandy loam, which encourages deep roots and consistent ripeness. Vines average around 25–30 years old, benefiting from the full southern exposure of the hillside, with gentle slopes of 0–15% allowing optimal sun and heat retention .

Winemaking

A direct pressing of the grapes, there is a low temperature fermentation in barrel with native yeasts. 12 months aging on the fine lees without racking with daily stirring for 6 months (25% new barrels) and 4 months in stainless steel vats.

Tasting Note

This Condrieu is a richly textured and opulent expression of Viognier, offering a generous, full-bodied mouthfeel that is both enveloping and luxurious. The nose bursts with notes of candied citrus peel, such as orange and lemon zest, layered with acacia honey and a lush medley of exotic fruits like mango, papaya, and lychee. On the palate, its natural richness is finely balanced by a subtle mineral freshness and hints of ginger spice and white florals, lending complexity and lift. The finish is long, silky, and expressive, with lingering flavors of ripe stone fruits, warm citrus, and a touch of vanilla from careful oak ageing. A textbook Condrieu that seduces with both power and finesse.

Food Matching

Lobster with saffron butter or crab risotto, 4oast chicken with apricot glaze or duck à l’orange.