Jean Luc Colombo

History of Domaine Jean-Luc Colombo

Born in Marseille, Jean-Luc Colombo first studied pharmacy before developing a passion for enology. In the early 1980s, he acquired his first vineyard, a granite hillside planted with old Syrah vines overlooking the village of Cornas. In 1984, he and his wife Anne, also a pharmacist and enologist, founded the Centre Œnologique des Côtes du Rhône, which would advise many winemakers in the Rhône and Provence. The first vintage of Cornas Les Ruchets was produced in 1987 and immediately became the estate's signature cuvée.

Over the years, the estate expanded in Cornas, Saint-Péray and the Côtes du Rhône, while a selective négociant operation broadened the range to include most of the Rhône's major appellations. True to their roots, the family also planted a few vines on the Côte Bleue near Marseille. Their daughter Laure Colombo, an enologist, has joined the family venture, carrying forward the energy and creativity for which the winery is known.

Terroirs and vines of Domaine Jean-Luc Colombo

The heart of the estate lies in Cornas, an appellation devoted entirely to Syrah whose name is said to mean “burnt earth” in Celtic. The vines cling to steep slopes, often terraced, on decomposed granite soils that give the wines density, freshness and minerality. The plots at Les Ruchets, La Louvée and Le Vallon de l'Aigle are among the appellation's finest terroirs. The Saint-Péray vineyards grow Marsanne and Roussanne, while the family also cultivates Clairette on the Côte Bleue overlooking the Mediterranean.

Based among the vines of Cornas, Jean-Luc and Anne Colombo have always favored environmentally respectful viticulture, working the soil, preserving biodiversity and farming their top Cornas vineyards organically.

Winemaking at Domaine Jean-Luc Colombo

A pioneer in Cornas, Jean-Luc Colombo introduced destemming, a focus on optimal ripeness and a measured use of barrels to refine Syrah wines once considered rustic. The grapes are harvested by hand, carefully sorted, then vinified with maceration tailored to each terroir. The top reds are aged in oak barrels for many months to soften their tannins while preserving the vibrancy of the fruit. The whites are fermented at low temperatures to retain their aromatic freshness, then aged in tanks or barrels depending on the cuvée.

The cuvées of Domaine Jean-Luc Colombo

Cornas Le Vallon de l'Aigle: from old Syrah vines planted on the steep terraces of a granite valley, this single-site Cornas is powerful, deep and mineral. Its notes of black fruit, licorice and spices call for a few years in the cellar.

Cornas Les Ruchets: the estate's flagship cuvée since 1987, it comes from very old Syrah vines on granite. Dense and distinctive, it combines blackberry, blackcurrant, violet and graphite with a tannic structure built for long aging.

Cornas La Louvée: from a Syrah plot on sandy granite, this Cornas emphasizes finesse and elegance. Floral and silky, it reveals pure black fruit and appealing freshness.

Cornas Les Terres Brûlées: a blend of several plots across the appellation, its name pays tribute to the etymology of Cornas. More approachable in its youth, it offers generous black fruit, spices and a smoky touch.

Côte-Rôtie La Divine: made from Syrah grown on Côte-Rôtie's schist hillsides, this refined wine combines black fruit, violet, black olive and peppery notes with a velvety texture.

Hermitage Le Rouet: from the legendary Hermitage hill, this Syrah red combines power, depth and complexity. A fine wine built for long aging, with distinguished tannins.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Bartavelles red: dominated by Grenache and complemented by the appellation's traditional varieties, it offers ripe red fruit, spices and notes of garrigue, with a generous, warming palate.

Saint-Joseph Les Lauves: made from Syrah grown on the granite soils of the Rhône's right bank, this Saint-Joseph charms with its crisp fruit, peppery notes and freshness.

Crozes-Hermitage Les Fées Brunes: a charming, fruit-forward Syrah with aromas of blackcurrant and violet, whose supple tannins make it an ideal partner at the table.

Vinsobres Les Palomettes: from this cru in Provençal Drôme, a blend of mainly Grenache and Syrah makes for a generous, spicy and fruity wine lifted by the freshness of its high-altitude terroir.

Cairanne Les Courtisannes: from the Cairanne cru, this southern Rhône blend combines red and black fruit, sweet spices and a firm structure. A delicious wine with a distinctive character.

Côtes du Rhône Les Forots: made primarily from Syrah, this Côtes du Rhône has a density and freshness reminiscent of the estate's northern Rhône wines.

Côtes du Rhône Les Abeilles red: a blend of Grenache and Syrah, this fruity, spicy red offers supple texture. An easygoing cuvée for everyday enjoyment.

Condrieu Amour de Dieu: made from Viognier grown in the Condrieu appellation, this exuberant white develops aromas of apricot, peach and white flowers, with a rich palate and fresh finish.

Saint-Péray La Belle de Mai: from old Marsanne vines on Saint-Péray's granite hillsides, this gentle, complex white evokes white fruit, honey and almond.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Bartavelles Interdites white: a rare white version of Les Bartavelles, this Châteauneuf-du-Pape blends the appellation's white grape varieties into a generous, floral and mineral wine.

Côtes du Rhône La Redonne: named after a Mediterranean inlet on the Côte Bleue dear to the family, this aromatic, fresh white cuvée combines yellow fruit and white flowers.

Côtes du Rhône Les Abeilles white: a lively, fruity southern Rhône white with notes of citrus and flowers, ideal as an aperitif or with grilled fish.