Chirat Condrieu Les Chays

Winemaker Chirat on the winery

“We are Vignobles Chirat, a family estate in Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône where we have been making wine since 1925. Our history is closely tied to the steep terraces of the northern Rhône, where viticulture demands considerable manual work and care. Today, several generations work together to craft wines that express the character of our granite slopes. We harvest our grapes by hand and select them carefully, ensuring that only healthy, ripe fruit reaches the cellar. By respecting our traditions and taking a precise approach to winemaking, we aim to create wines with aromatic depth, structure and a clear sense of origin.”

And on Condrieu, France

“Our Les Chays comes from Condrieu, one of the northern Rhône’s most distinctive appellations, renowned for its aromatic white wines made from Viognier. The vineyards lie on steep terraces near Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, on highly weathered granite soils. The name Les Chays refers to the traditional dry-stone walls that support these terraces. We make this wine from 100% Viognier, hand-harvested and gently pressed as whole bunches. Fermentation takes place in large wooden vats and 500-litre demi-muids. The wine then ages in wood for around ten to twelve months. This develops aromas of apricot, peach, violet and exotic fruit, complemented by subtle toasted notes, a full texture and a long, refined finish.”