Request a Quote

Guigal Winery Guide

Winery Overview

Guigal is rightly considered one of the Rhône’s most important wine producers, famous for their resurrection of Côte-Rôtie during the 1970s and 80s. From their base in beautiful riverside Ampuis, this legendary outfit makes an extensive range of wines produced from the length and breadth of the Rhône Valley. They are far and away the largest producer of Cote Rotie, in addition to owning Domaine de Vallouit and the merchant house of Vidal Fleury, which makes it all the more astonishing, considering the impressive volumes being made, that the quality at this superlative estate is so consistent. Nothing less than exceptional wine leaves the cellar doors of Guigal, a testament to the hard work, dedication, and know-how of this dynamic family.

The Guigal family has a long and distinguished history as Rhône winemakers. Etienne Guigal founded the original domaine in 1946 in Ampuis, a small, historic village at the heart of the Côte-Rôtie Appellation. Over the decades, Etienne built a formidable reputation for his singular expression of the Côte-Rôtie terroir and personally vinified over 65 vintages. Sadly, blindness struck Etienne in the 1960s, and his son Marcel was forced to take over the domaine. A man of unparalleled dynamism and vision, Marcel expanded the family business and purchased the now-famous Château d’Ampuis in 1995. This stunning property has become synonymous with producing powerful and structured Cote Rotie, released in minimal quantities and not surprisingly at stratospheric prices.

Today, Guigal continues to be the Rhône’s foremost innovator and quality-led producer of an exciting and diverse selection of wines. Their careful expansion policy – including Domaine de Bonserine in 2003 – has paid dividends, allowing the family to acquire vineyards in exceptional terroirs throughout the region. The domaine is now largely run by Philippe and Eve’s third-generation husband and wife team, who have even expanded their remit into barrel making at the gorgeous Châteaud’Ampuis. And while their vibrant range of wines is a model of consistency, the Ampuis labels excite connoisseurs and collectors. Phillipe’s top three cuvées, La Mouline, La Landonne, and La Turque, are super-rich, extracted, age-worthy wines seasoned with a healthy proportion of new oak. However, their balance and extraordinary finesse are still more important. All 3 are truly profound wines with that extra dimension and depth rarely encountered in this venerable region. But then, what else do you expect from such an accomplished team like the Guigal family!

Rhône Wine Tour

Rhône Wine Tour

Unveil the scenic wonders of the Rhone Valley wine region on a tailor-made tour, savoring exquisite gourmet delights along the way. Book now!

View Rhône tour

Further Reading

Author

Avatar photo

James lawrence

With a passion for food & drink that verges on the obsessive, wine writer James Lawrence has traveled the world in search of the perfect tipple. To date, nothing has surpassed the 1952 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Rioja Reserva, tasted in the cobweb-filled cellars with owner María José. Meanwhile, James has been writing for a wide variety of publications for over 12 years, including Telegraph, Decanter, Harpers, The Drinks Business, and Wine Business International. He lives in South Wales and returns to his former university city, Bilbao, as much as possible.

Read more

Private wine travel experts, recommended by leading travel publications

  • National Geographic
  • Condé Nast Traveler
  • Travel + Leisure
  • Frommer's
  • Forbes Travel Guide