Pierre Jean Villa

History of Domaine Pierre-Jean Villa

Pierre-Jean Villa was born in Chavanay, on the edge of the northern Rhône Valley, with Spanish origins that his character and commitment reflect. Passionate about wine from a young age, he began his career in the marketing of great Burgundian wines. In 1992, he took over the production and marketing of several prestigious Burgundian estates, including Mommessin and the legendary Clos de Tart. He travelled the world to promote these exceptional wines and thereby forged his vision of great terroirs and great houses. After ten years of training at the highest Burgundian level, Pierre-Jean decided to return to the land that had seen him born, the Rhône Valley, in 2003.

In 2003, he joined the adventure of Vins de Vienne, created by his friends Yves Cuilleron, Pierre Gaillard and François Villard in 1996, to plant a vineyard on the historic and steep slopes of Seyssuel, north of Vienne, and resurrect this ancient Gallo-Roman vineyard. He worked there until 2009, at which point he took his definitive leap: he created his own estate in Chavanay, on the terraces of Saint-Joseph and Condrieu where the use of machinery is not conceivable. His first vintage 2009 immediately revealed a precise, fresh and digestible style, which would continue to be refined. In 2021, the arrival of Hugo and Pauline at the estate accelerated the organic certification and the shift towards biodynamics. The estate inaugurated in 2022 a new cellar in Chavanay, more functional, allowing for even more detailed parcel-by-parcel vinifications.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Pierre-Jean Villa

The vineyard of Domaine Pierre-Jean Villa extends over 20 hectares, spread across five sectors on the right bank and left bank of the northern Rhône. The vines, averaging 30 years of age, rest on exclusively granitic terroirs characteristic of the northern Rhône. In Côte-Rôtie, the lieu-dit Fongeant is home to vines over 60 years old, trained en gobelet on stakes on soils of granite, gneiss, clay and iron oxide. The soil of Côte-Rôtie is one of the most complex and richest in the region, with a diversity of substrates that explains the depth and longevity of the wines. In Condrieu, the parcels of Viognier (70% of the white grape varieties) and Roussanne (30%) are planted on acidic granitic soils on the foothills of the Massif Central, with a remarkable view over the Rhône.

In Saint-Joseph, the parcels are located around Chavanay, on steep granitic terraces where all work is done by hand. In Crozes-Hermitage, the vines are planted on pebble and clay terroirs to the east of Tain-l'Hermitage. The slopes of Seyssuel, north of Vienne, offer one of the most northerly expressions of Syrah in France, on granitic soils that recall the neighbouring Côtes-Rôties. The grape varieties are entirely northern Rhône: Syrah for all the reds, Viognier and Roussanne for the whites. For certain parcels, notably at Seyssuel, Pierre-Jean Villa has adopted the Guyot-Poussard pruning method, a gentle technique that minimises pruning wounds and preserves the flow of sap.

Vinifications of Domaine Pierre-Jean Villa

The winemaking philosophy of Pierre-Jean Villa is that of a perfectionist winemaker who seeks purity, freshness and authentic expression of the terroir. For the flagship cuvée Côte-Rôtie Fongeant, vinification is carried out with 70% whole clusters, sorted on a vibrating table and conveyed to the tank by conveyor belt. The ageing of Fongeant lasts 24 months in barrels and demi-muids to develop its finesse and depth. For the other cuvées, ageing takes place in the containers best suited to each expression: foudres, barrels or stoneware jars depending on the cuvée. Indigenous yeasts are used for the majority of cuvées, without oenological additives. Malolactic fermentations occur naturally in tanks.

The style of Pierre-Jean Villa's wines is unmistakable: fresh, digestible and profound wines, never heavy or over-ripe, with a purity of fruit and a mineral tension that sets them apart in a northern Rhône vineyard sometimes tempted by excessive power. The whites are luminous, with notes of yellow fruits and flowers, and a beautiful fresh tension. The reds reveal aromas of pepper, smoked meat and dark fruits, in an elegant and highly drinkable register.

The cuvées of Domaine Pierre-Jean Villa

Côte-Rôtie Fongeant: The estate's iconic flagship cuvée and its absolute pinnacle, sourced from the lieu-dit Fongeant on the granitic terraces of Côte-Rôtie. Vines over 60 years old trained en gobelet on stakes, on granite, gneiss, clay and iron oxide. 100% Syrah. Vinification with 70% whole clusters, 24 months ageing in barrels and demi-muids. A red wine of exceptional depth, tension and concentration: a deep and taut palate, juicy fruit on the finish, impressive length. "The terroir of Fongeant speaks for itself through its depth, vigour and energy." Produced in very limited quantities. One of the most admired cuvées of the contemporary northern Rhône.

Côte-Rôtie Carmina: The estate's second Côte-Rôtie cuvée, whose name is a reference to the cantata Carmina Burana, "a combination of power, purity, complexity and sensuality". Luscious palate, refined tannins, power that reveals itself throughout the tasting. A great Côte-Rôtie of captivating aromatic richness, slightly more accessible than Fongeant in its youth while retaining fine ageing potential.

Condrieu Jardin Suspendu: Iconic white cuvée of Condrieu, sourced from Viognier on granitic terraces. "In just 5 vintages, Pierre-Jean Villa has elevated this Condrieu among the finest of this emblematic appellation." Floral, fruity, spicy, with an uncommon intensity on the palate, crystalline finesse and an impressive length. Nose of violet, acacia, apricot and white peach. Ample and pure palate, sapid, with good persistence. A benchmark white for the appellation.

Saint-Joseph Rouge Tildé: The estate's signature red cuvée in Saint-Joseph. The name "Tildé" is a direct reference to the Spanish origins of Pierre-Jean Villa: this accent, wave-shaped, emphasises certain words of the Spanish language, and was once in old French an inscription, a mark affixed to an object. The Tildé cuvée is the signature of his work as a winemaker. Syrah on the granitic terraces of Chavanay. A crunchy red wine, with aromas of pepper and smoked meat, red and black fruits, precise and frank on the palate. To be savoured without urgency, within 5 to 8 years.

Saint-Joseph Rouge Préface: Entry-level red cuvée of Saint-Joseph, conceived as "an invitation to discover the wines of Pierre-Jean Villa". Fruity and balanced Syrah from the terroirs of Chavanay. An elegant and accessible red wine, with aromas of red fruits and spices, a supple and fresh palate. The ideal cuvée for discovering the style of the estate.

Saint-Joseph Blanc Saut de l'Ange: White cuvée of Saint-Joseph sourced from Roussanne (30% of the white grape varieties). A luminous white wine, with notes of yellow fruits and flowers, and a beautiful fresh tension. Lively and precise on the palate, with a saline and mineral finish. A Saint-Joseph blanc of great distinction and a typical expression of Roussanne on granite.

Crozes-Hermitage Accroche-Coeur (Rouge): Red cuvée of Crozes-Hermitage, whose name evokes the tendrils of the vine that form "accroche-coeurs" at the tip of the shoots. "Full of fruit, intense and well balanced." Syrah on the pebble and clay terroirs of Crozes. A generous and highly drinkable red, to be enjoyed within 3 to 5 years alongside a fine cut of beef.

Coteaux de Seyssuel Esprit d'Antan (Rouge): A confidential red cuvée from the historic slopes of Seyssuel, north of Vienne, a vineyard resurrected with Vins de Vienne. Syrah on granitic soils, one of the most northerly expressions of Syrah in France. A red wine of great sincerity and excellent balance, ideal for the next five years. A cuvée that bears witness to the deep connection of Pierre-Jean Villa with the terroirs of Seyssuel where he made his Rhône Valley debut.