Revealing terroirs

Michel Chapoutier claims to be a chineur.
He creates terroirs where no one would dare to,
where no one would bet a cent.
In the Rhône Valley, the cradle of our Maison, then in Roussillon, Australia and Portugal,
the terroirs were waiting for the right time to reveal themselves.

Our vines in Rousillon

The exciting quest of our domains and vineyards

Creating a terroir is discovering a region, a soil and a climate where a specific grape variety will be able to express itself. Then, with the know-how provided by people and tradition, each appellation is the instant photography of a terroir or several terroirs.

Very early Michel Chapoutier chose to open to the world.

A Banyuls by M. CHAPOUTIER, who would have thought? It is however the first time Michel fell in love outside of the Rhône Valley. This intuition and this boldness never stopped since. He loves to decrypt barren, abandoned or difficult soils. He wants to give them an interpretation. 

His next challenge: Roussillon. This region’s potential is outstanding, probably amongst the most incredible terroirs of France. Its history is intense and sometimes violent. Its complex geology, its terraces and its southern climate seduced Michel Chapoutier.

His quest crosses the borders

His quest took him all the way to Australia in the region of Victoria. Michel has always loved Australia for its landscapes, its aboriginal culture and its exciting geological diversity. Here the Shiraz variety suggests a fantastic range of expressions. He worked with his methods and his know-how to create elegant wines with a great mineral purity.

The next step will be the Douro region in Portugal. Here Michel Chapoutier is interested by the granitic soil and has a crush on the dry wines based on the Touriga Nacional variety. 

All these soils have something to say. After having listened to them and worked closely with them, they give our wines their character and expression

Our Australian vineyard

All these soils have something to say.

After having listened to them and worked closely with them, they give our wines their character and expression.

Terroir is a combination of soil, climate and man’s know-how. It’s impossible to make the best wine. Trying to get the best possible snapshot of a terroir is the art of the vintner. It’s not about making technical wines, but serving the terroir. Allowing it to express itself truthfully. Man can make or destroy a terroir.