Domaine Gerin
Historic Rhône Family: Six generations of winemaking heritage in Ampuis, the heart of Côte-Rôtie.
Pioneers of Terroir Expression: Among the first in the region to vinify vineyard plots like Les Grandes Places, La Landonne, and La Viallière separately.
Traditional Craftsmanship: Hand-harvesting, native yeast fermentation, and long aging in oak barrels.
Certified Organic: Full conversion to organic viticulture, with certification achieved in the 2023 vintage.
Domaine Jean-Michel Gérin – Côte-Rôtie, Northern Rhône
Deep in the heart of the Côte-Rôtie vineyards in the village of Ampuis, Domaine Jean-Michel Gérin stands as a pillar of tradition and innovation, tracing its roots back six generations. Though the formal estate was founded in 1983 by Jean-Michel Gérin, the family's legacy in the region extends much further, with vineyards handed down through both his father, Alfred, and grandfather, Marcel.
Côte-Rôtie, perched just 30 kilometers south of Lyon, is the northernmost and one of the smallest appellations in the Rhône Valley, spanning a mere 320 hectares. Here, steep, schist-laden slopes meet a dual climate of Mediterranean warmth and continental coolness, conditions that give birth to powerful yet elegant wines. Syrah reigns supreme, sometimes co-fermented with a touch of Viognier for added finesse and aromatic lift.
Jean-Michel's journey began with the purchase of a vineyard parcel in Côte-Rôtie and the first bottling of estate wine in 1987. A landmark moment arrived in 1988, when he pioneered plot-specific vinification with the famed “Les Grandes Places,” a practice that continued with “La Landonne” in 1996 and “La Viallière” in 2009—an incredible feat involving the planting of vines on daunting slopes exceeding 40%.
In 2014, a new, modern winery was built to accommodate the estate’s growing reputation and needs. Four years later, the domaine introduced another single-vineyard cuvée, “Côte-Bodin,” a site planted by Jean-Michel three decades earlier, now allowed to shine on its own.
The wines are made with meticulous care: grapes are hand-harvested, fermented with native yeasts, and aged in oak for nearly two years, with each cuvée receiving its own tailored treatment. And while deeply rooted in tradition, the estate looks forward, transitioning to organic farming in 2020, and proudly receiving full certification with the 2023 vintage.
Today, Jean-Michel’s sons, Michaël and Alexis Gérin, carry on the family legacy. They bring fresh energy to the domaine’s nearly 20 hectares of vineyard holdings, ensuring that the spirit of Côte-Rôtie lives on through wines of clarity, precision, and soulful expression.