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Domaine François Villard

An iconic figure and one of the leading names in the Northern Rhône, François Villard is a master winemaker who currently produces wines across the region’s major appellations. On his 45-hectare vineyard, he has always worked with the philosophy of producing authentic and balanced wines. The wines must be as representative as possible of their terroir, making the most of their minerality—which, for him, represents the greatest freshness one can imagine in a wine.

A former chef, François Villard followed his passion for wine and began his journey in 1989 by planting his first vineyard in the “Poncins” cru. He gradually expanded the estate, built his winery in Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône, supplemented his operations by purchasing grapes, and obtained organic certification in 2022. As a true enthusiast, he joined forces with Pierre Gaillard and Yves Cuilleron to create Vins de Vienne.

At the François Villard estate, vineyard work is done entirely by hand. Harvest timing is determined plot by plot to ensure that each cluster is picked at peak ripeness. The plots are then vinified separately so that the blends can be adjusted for each vintage. The primary goal is for each wine to reflect the terroir from which it originates, with a constant focus on freshness, minerality, and fruit.

For more information, visit the website at François Villard

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