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François Villard, Saint Péray, Version, St-Michel-sur-Rhône, Northern Rhône, France, 2022

Product code: 5489

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

Sourced from high-quality parcels in Saint-Péray, planted on granitic and clay-limestone soils. The vineyards are farmed sustainably, with cover crops and manual work in the vines. The varied elevation and soil composition bring tension and aromatic lift to the final wine.

Winemaking

A blend of Marsanne and Roussanne, fermented with native yeasts in barrel. The wine undergoes bâtonnage and is aged for 10 to 11 months in French oak, around 20–25% of which is new. The oak is used judiciously to build texture while retaining freshness and varietal purity.

Tasting Note

A vibrant and textured Rhône white, ‘Version’ reveals enticing aromas of white blossom, ripe peach, quince, and a whisper of almond and honeycomb. The palate is rounded yet precise, offering flavours of stone fruit, citrus peel, and subtle spice, carried by a fresh mineral edge and a gently creamy finish.