Winemaker Notes
This esteemed estate has been passed on from generation to generation for more than 125 years.
Today, Florence Quiot and her brother Jean-Baptiste take a hands-on approach and dedicate themselves to continuing a tradition of the highest quality estate bottled wines. Their vineyards are spread across 6 appellations of the Southern Rhone valley; and, for all, they take the long view, often waiting years before replanting a parcel to ensure conditions in the soil are perfect for vines to thrive for 100 years or more.
The winery itself is located on the Trignon “river” (it’s a stream) dividing Sablet and Gigondas, with the buildings on the Gigondas side. This is also where the most cherished vines reside. They are lucky to have parcels from the base to the very highest altitudes of the appellation allowing them to achieve great complexity and protect each vintage from localized problems. They also have beautiful parcels in Vacqueyras, Rasteau, Sablet, Plan de Dieu, Beaumes de Venise and Côtes du Rhone.
The winery itself was upgraded to make use of gravity flow, protecting the grapes from damage, and preserving their most delicate characteristics.
The Quiot family has been working in the vineyards of the Rhône valley since at least 1748. They have a great respect for the terroir and work hard to produce rich, approachable, terroir-oriented wines which can be found in the best restaurants around the country.
Typically thought of as a baby Chateâuneuf-du-Pape, the term Côtes du Rhône actually doesn’t merely apply to the flatter outskirts of the major southern Rhône appellations, it also includes the fringes of well-respected northern Rhône appellations. White wines can be produced under the appellation name, but very little is actually made.
The region offers some of the best values in France and even some first-rate and age-worthy reds. Red wine varieties include most of the Chateâuneuf-du-Pape varieties like Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Counoise, as well as Carignan. White grapes grown include Grenache blanc, Roussanne and Viognier, among others.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.