André Perret

History of Domaine André Perret

The saga of Domaine André Perret begins in 1982, when André Perret, a biology graduate and research scientist by training, decided to leave the world of science to return to the family lands of Chavanay, in the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional du Pilat. At the time, the Condrieu appellation was in sharp decline, and the steep terraces on the right bank of the Rhône were predominantly occupied by fruit orchards. It was in this challenging context that André Perret made an audacious wager: to convert the family orchard estate into a wine-producing domaine, to plant vines on steep slopes that few vignerons still dared to work, and to produce his first vintage as early as 1983, at a time when only two other winemakers were active in the Condrieu appellation. His pioneering approach contributed to the renaissance of a vineyard and an appellation that would soon become one of the most prestigious in France. Passionate about the potential of these granite and micaceous schist terroirs, André Perret gradually expanded his domaine through the purchase and lease of plots, eventually reaching the current 13 hectares. Since 2019, his daughter Marie has joined the estate and is gradually taking over the reins, bringing a notable focus on soil management and thus extending the family legacy into a new generation of excellence.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine André Perret

Domaine André Perret draws its strength from a terroir of rare singularity in the Northern Rhône Valley. The vines, cultivated on terraces on vertiginous slopes overlooking the Rhône at approximately 250 metres in altitude, rest on predominantly granitic, friable, erosion-prone soils, held in place by dry-stone walls built by human hands. The domaine's flagship plot, the Coteau de Chéry, is distinguished by its south-facing micaceous schist soils, an ideal exposure that maximises sunlight for the viognier and confers on the wines an incomparable aromatic complexity and minerality. The Clos Chanson, another emblematic lieu-dit, is centred around an imposing building erected on the ruins of a feudal château, on soils of decomposed granite mixed with clay. The Saint-Joseph plots, meanwhile, are planted on shallow, permeable schists and granites, which lend the red wines their tight structure and remarkable ageing potential. Viognier reigns supreme in Condrieu, while syrah dominates the Saint-Joseph reds, complemented by equal parts marsanne and roussanne for the whites of that same appellation. The narrowness of the terraces rules out any use of machinery: all work is done by hand, and sometimes carried on one's back, which demands a considerable human investment but guarantees devoted attention to every vine. Yields are deliberately kept very low, rarely exceeding 30 hectolitres per hectare, which concentrates the flavours and gives the cuvées their characteristic density.

Vinifications of Domaine André Perret

The winemaking philosophy of Domaine André Perret rests on a central principle: to allow the terroir to express itself without betraying it. The harvest is entirely manual, with rigorous selection of grapes at the plot level to retain only berries at perfect ripeness. André Perret works the viognier with indigenous yeasts, refusing any artificial inoculation that would compromise the wine's authenticity, and conducts fermentations in oak barrels with regular lees stirring to add richness and complexity. For the Condrieu cuvées, ageing takes place over 12 to 18 months in 228- and 300-litre barrels, with a proportion of new wood calibrated according to the level of the cuvée: more restrained for the generic Condrieu, in order to preserve the purity of violet and apricot aromas, more pronounced for the Chéry and Clos Chanson cuvées. For the Saint-Joseph blanc, fermentation begins in vat before a transfer to barrel to complete fermentation and conduct a one-year ageing, combining freshness and depth. On the red side, the syrah is 100% destemmed and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats for two to three weeks, followed by ageing of 12 to 18 months in barrels depending on the cuvée. No systematic treatments are applied in the vineyard: phytosanitary interventions are only decided after careful observation of the terrain, out of a permanent concern for respect of the environment and living ecosystems.

The cuvées of Domaine André Perret

Condrieu (generic cuvée) : Sourced from a blend of several south- and south-east-facing plots on granitic soils, this entry-level Condrieu from the domaine is vinified with a more modest proportion of oak in order to preserve the direct expression of the viognier. The nose reveals generous aromas of peach, apricot, and violet, characteristic of the grape variety in its freshest dimension. The palate is broad, with balanced acidity and a beautiful length. This is a wine that captivates from its youth and can pair wonderfully with a refined aperitif, asparagus, lobster, or aged goat's cheese.

Condrieu Coteau de Chéry : The true jewel of the domaine and one of the great references of the Condrieu appellation, this cuvée comes from vines some of which were planted in the 1940s, on micaceous schist soils with full south exposure on the celebrated Coteau de Chéry. The viognier, averaging 60 years of age, produces here a wine of exceptional density and aromatic complexity: a deep nose of candied fruits, white flowers, vineyard peach, violet, and toasted notes, a broad and precise palate with a saline and salivating finish. Its ageing potential reaches 10 to 15 years.

Condrieu Clos Chanson : This very limited-production Condrieu comes from a single plot, the Clos Chanson, leased by André Perret since 1986. This enclosed vineyard, delimited by walls and nestled around a building constructed on the ruins of a feudal château, features soils of decomposed granite mixed with clay, which give this viognier a more mineral and more structured profile than the Chéry. On the nose, the cuvée expresses notes of hawthorn, gentle spices, vanilla, lychee, and citrus. The palate is round and complex, with a beautiful persistence. This wine can age effortlessly for 10 years.

Saint-Joseph Blanc : Crafted from an equal-parts blend of marsanne and roussanne, this Saint-Joseph blanc is one of the most distinguished whites of the appellation. The marsanne, one of the first grape varieties planted on the domaine at its creation in 1982, provides structure and ageing potential, while the roussanne offers finesse and aromatic freshness. Vinification begins in stainless steel vats before partial ageing in oak barrels with lees stirring, which adds richness and breadth without masking the terroir's minerality. The nose is distinguished by notes of honeysuckle, green almond, acacia, and a persistent mineral touch.

Saint-Joseph Rouge (generic cuvée) : This red Saint-Joseph, crafted from syrah grown on light, sandy, granitic soils on south- and south-east-facing terraces, is harvested by hand and 100% destemmed. Fermentation is carried out in stainless steel vats for 15 to 21 days, followed by 12 months of ageing in barrel. The result is a red wine with a fresh and juicy nose, delivering aromas of cherry, raspberry, red fruits, and violet, with a peppery finish characteristic of northern syrah. The palate is round and fluid, with supple, silky tannins. This is a wine of immediate pleasure that nonetheless benefits from 5 to 7 years of cellaring to reveal its full complexity.

Saint-Joseph Les Grisières (red) : The domaine's signature red cuvée and a true gastronomic wine, Les Grisières is a red Saint-Joseph sourced from the finest plots of fifty-year-old syrah on the estate, selected for their concentration and ageing potential. Aged for 18 months in oak barrels, the wine develops a dense and refined structure, with intense aromas of red and black fruits, undergrowth, spices, and discreet roasted notes. The palate is broad and fleshy, with tight yet high-quality tannins, promising a beautiful evolution over 10 to 17 years. This cuvée is unanimously recognised as the benchmark red of Domaine André Perret and one of the most accomplished expressions of the Saint-Joseph terroir.

IGP Collines Rhodaniennes (blanc) : This single-varietal wine produced under the IGP Collines Rhodaniennes offers a more accessible approach to the expertise of Domaine André Perret. Vinified in a lively and fruity style, it delivers a pleasant and straightforward aromatic profile, ideal for everyday enjoyment. An entry-level wine that reflects the attention the domaine brings to its entire range, regardless of the appellation's classification.

IGP Collines Rhodaniennes Merlot-Syrah (red) : An original blend of merlot (60%) and syrah (40%), this vin de pays from the Collines Rhodaniennes illustrates the full range of André Perret's skills as a vigneron. The merlot, grown on gently sloping sandy soils with vines around twenty years old, brings suppleness and roundness, while the syrah, planted on granitic soils at the top of the hillside with vines averaging 40 years of age, contributes depth, spice, and colour. The wine develops aromas of red and black fruits, blackcurrant, and liquorice, with tannins that are present yet silky.