Domaine François Villard

The Domaine François Villard in a few words...

The Domaine François Villard is among the elite of Rhône Valley wines. A former chef, François Villard, who has decided to lead his vineyard in certified organic agriculture since 2019, produces northern Rhône valley wines rather on finesse. Here, we're not looking for opulence in the wines, but beautiful maturities without heaviness; we create wines based on length, uprightness, while respecting the fruit.

The success is total, and wine prices have remained wise for the Northern Rhône Valley. It's time to take advantage!

The Domaine François Villard is an unmissable reference in the world of wine, renowned for its exceptional wines from Rhône Valley terroirs. Founded by François Villard, a passionate and visionary winemaker, this estate embodies the excellence and authenticity of French viticulture.

Located in the prestigious Condrieu region, in the heart of the eponymous appellation renowned for its elegant viognier-based white wines, Domaine François Villard extends over hectares of carefully selected vineyards. These vineyards benefit from a unique terroir, marked by clay-limestone soils and a climate conducive to the flourishing of local grape varieties.

François Villard's artisanal, environmentally-friendly approach is reflected in every bottle produced. From hand-picking to meticulous vinification and oak barrel ageing, every step is orchestrated with passion and rigor to preserve the authentic expression of terroir.

The Domaine François Villard offers a wide range of wines, from the famous Condrieu to expressive reds and surprising vins de pays. Each cuvée bears witness to François Villard's unique expertise and commitment to offering wines of impeccable quality.

Here are just a few of the different cuvées from Domaine François Villard:

L'appel des Sereine is a beautiful Syrah, supple and digestible, a fine introduction to the domaine.

Gallet Blanc is one of the estate's famous Côtes Roties: supple and elegant, it's the ideal wine to discover this appellation. Montlys is a great-keeping Cote Rotie, to be forgotten for 10 to 20 years in the cellar! As a reminder, Côtes Rôties are produced very largely from Syrah.

Among the grands Saint-Joseph, the cuvée Saint-Joseph Reflet (100% syrah) is one of the most accomplished wines: a powerful, racy wine with great cellaring potential. The cuvée Mairlant rouge is another Saint-Joseph, more accessible in its youth; it allows you to quickly discover the domaine's style. The cuvée Poivre et sol is a supple, accessible cuvée when young. For lovers of white wines, Domaine François Villard produces white Saint-Josephs, including the Mailant blanc cuvée, which will surprise many connoisseurs.

Desponcins du Domaine François Villard is a magnificent Condrieu (100% viognier), gourmand and powerful, with great expression. Grand Vallon is the 1st Condrieu in the range, on fruit and gourmandise. Villa Ponciana is the grand Condrieu de garde, ambitious and complex.

Other whites are produced by the estate on the AOP Saint-Peray: whites made from marsanne and roussane, of great elegance. Version and Long version are the domaine's 2 white wines from AOP Saint-Peray.

For tighter budgets and viognier lovers, failing Condrieu, we recommend Les Contours de Deponcins, an IGP from the Collines rhodaniennes, 100% viognier, fragrant and elegant!

Finally, Domaine François Villard produces superb Crozes-Hermitage and notably the cuvée Cour de Récré in white Crozes-Hermitage PDO.

Guide RVF des meilleurs vins de France 2020 on Domaine François Villard: 2 stars (very great estate). "Just because troublemaker François Villard doesn't take himself seriously doesn't mean we shouldn't regard his work with the attention the greatest deserve. This self-taught winegrower likes concentrated, late harvests, so as to achieve perfect ripeness rather than over-ripeness. In reds, La Brocarde in côte-rotie and Reflet in saint joseph are often among the greatest successes of the sector. The whites are generous."

Discover more great Rhône Valley organic wines with the domaine Marcel Richaud the domaine des Entrefaux, the domaine Pique-Basse, the Domaine Laurent Combier.