History of Guigal
The history of Guigal began in 1924, when Étienne Guigal arrived in Ampuis at the age of 14 and started working in winemaking. After years of gaining expertise, he established Maison Guigal in 1946. In 1961, Marcel Guigal, Étienne’s son, took over the estate at the age of 17 after his father became temporarily blind. Marcel, along with his wife Bernadette, expanded the estate's operations, and their son Philippe Guigal joined them in 1973. Today, Philippe Guigal continues to lead the winemaking efforts alongside his wife Eve, representing the third generation of the family.
Through their vision and dedication, the Guigals expanded the estate’s holdings significantly. In 1984, they acquired the historic Vidal-Fleury estate. Later, they added iconic vineyards such as Château d’Ampuis in 1995, as well as parcels in Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, and Crozes-Hermitage in 2001. In 2017, they purchased Château de Nalys in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, marking their entry into the Southern Rhône.
Region and Vineyards
Guigal’s vineyards span some of the most prestigious appellations of the Northern Rhône, including Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, and Crozes-Hermitage. The estate is especially known for its Côte-Rôtie wines, including the famed “La La” series: La Mouline, La Turque, and La Landonne. These single-vineyard wines are recognized globally for their power, complexity, and ability to age for decades.
In the Southern Rhône, the acquisition of Château de Nalys in Châteauneuf-du-Pape added another prestigious appellation to their portfolio. The vineyards are meticulously managed, with a focus on sustainable viticulture and preserving the expression of each terroir.
Winemaking Philosophy
Guigal is renowned for its meticulous approach to winemaking, particularly their practice of aging wines in new French oak barrels for extended periods—sometimes up to three years for their top cuvées. In 2003, they established their own cooperage at Château d’Ampuis, giving them complete control over the oak used for their wines. This precise approach to barrel aging ensures that the wines maintain a balance between the richness imparted by the oak and the expression of the terroir.
Wine Range
Guigal produces a broad array of wines across the Rhône Valley’s greatest appellations:
- Côte-Rôtie: The iconic La Mouline, La Turque, and La Landonne wines are some of the most collectible wines in the world, praised for their intensity and ability to age.
- Condrieu: Notably, the estate produces La Doriane, a benchmark for Viognier wines from this appellation, known for its elegance and aromatic complexity.
- Hermitage: Guigal’s Ex Voto wines, both red and white, represent the pinnacle of this legendary appellation, combining power, structure, and finesse.
- Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage: These appellations offer both reds and whites, celebrated for their balance of fruit, minerality, and refinement.
- Châteauneuf-du-Pape: With Château de Nalys, Guigal now produces both red and white Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines that reflect the richness and complexity of the Southern Rhône.
Did You Know?
Guigal’s top cuvées, such as La Landonne, La Mouline, and La Turque, have achieved the prestigious score of 100 points from wine critic Robert Parker across numerous vintages, solidifying their status among the world’s finest wines. In addition, Marcel Guigal was awarded Decanter Man of the Year in 2006 for his contributions to the Rhône Valley's winemaking legacy.
