Sometimes a last name tells you everything. Yann Menager—literally “to manage,” “to husband,” or “to nurse,” in French—spent 20 years as Yves Cuilleron's vineyard chief, learning every granite outcrop and schist vein in the Northern Rhône's most prestigious sites.

In 2011, fate intervened. An elderly grower in nearby vineyards couldn't work his vines anymore. His son had attempted one vintage but quit when faced with the reality of farming 45-degree slopes in Mediterranean heat. The parcels sat abandoned.

Menager saw opportunity where others saw only backbreaking labor. He approached Cuilleron not as an employee, but as someone ready to strike out on his own. Cuilleron's response revealed the esteem he had for his friend: instead of grabbing prime parcels for himself, he helped finance his long-time vineyard manager's independence.

For the first few years, Cuilleron even helped make the wines. You can taste it—the same precision, the same understanding of how to coax complexity from Northern Rhône whites without sacrificing freshness.

“Les Vessettes” sits on pure granite in Chavanay. Here, Menager's 50/50 blend makes perfect sense: the old Marsanne vines provide the backbone, while younger Roussanne adds the perfume. Everything is organic, hand-picked, naturally fermented. When you've spent two decades making someone else's Grand Vin, you don't cut corners on your own.

Why You'll Love It

Baby Hermitage Blanc Vibes: Old-vine Marsanne meets young Roussanne in equal measure. One brings power, the other brings finesse. Together they create something more interesting than either variety alone: it’s full bodied and slightly waxy with notes of bitter melon, pears and peaches, mandarin pith, and a delightful herby note. 

Impossibly Rare: You can’t find this wine online. Just under 400 cases were made, with our small allocation wrenched from the hands of Lyon’s top restaurants and reserved exclusively for members.

How to Serve It

• Serve at 48-52°F in Burgundy stems, no decanting needed.
  

• Drink now through 2028.
  

• Built for richer fare: roasted chicken with herbs, grilled sea bass with beurre blanc, or classic quenelles in sauce Nantua.

Meta Data

Fruit 4, Earth 3.5, Body 4.5, Oak 1.5, Tannins 0, Acid 3.5