Yves Cuilleron Labaya, Crozes-Hermitage

The Cuilleron estate, located in Verlieu, a hamlet of Chavanay just south of Condrieu, is one of the benchmark producers of the Rhône. Proprietor Yves Cuilleron makes an assortment of wines from multiple appellations, including Condrieu, Saint Péray, Crozes-Hermitage, Saint Joseph, Côte Rôtie, and a range of terrific varietally labelled Vin de Pays from the Collines Rhodaniennes. Most vines are grown on terraces which means all vineyard work is done by hand. In the cellar, grapes are fermented using indigenous yeasts; the white wines are fermented in barrels of various sizes and ages and kept on the lees with regular battonage; the reds are partially destemmed, and fermentation occurs in open top cuves.