Georges Vernay

Nestled in the heart of the Northern Rhône Valley, Domaine Georges Vernay is widely celebrated as the savior and modern master of the Viognier grape, particularly within the prestigious Condrieu appellation. Founded in the mid-20th century by Georges Vernay—often affectionately known as the "King of Viognier"—the estate played a monumental role in rescuing the local wine industry from the brink of extinction when only a few hectares of vines r...

The grapes come from the lieux-dits "La Caille" and "Sainte-Agathe", ideally situated in the heart of the village of Condrieu. With an average age of 35 years, the vines thrive on steep hillsides where any mechanisation is impossible. The terroir is composed mainly of granitic soils rich in mica and schist, giving the wine its characteristic minerality.

Working the vines and making good wine is a long tradition in the Rhone Valley. This history, going back almost 2,000 years, still substantially influences the estate’s philosophy. Each wine bears a part of this heritage, especially the Condrieu “Terrasses de l’Empire” whose name echoes the time when the Rhone was a frontier between the Holy Roman Empire and the Kingdom of France. Christine Vernay and her husband Paul Amsellem, both lovers of ...

The harvest is carried out by hand using small crates. To maximise aromatic complexity, the whole bunches are gently pressed. Fermentation is then triggered using indigenous yeasts. The "Les Terrasses de l'Empire" 2024 is aged for 10 months, split between large 20-hectolitre conical oak vats and older barrels, with a small proportion of new oak, thus preserving the purity of the fruit.