When first learning about Rhône Valley producers, two of the most venerated are Guigal and Chapoutier. Both are family-run enterprises that purchase fruit from the valley’s greatest appellations while also maintaining their own enviable collection of vineyards. Guigal is largely synonymous with the Northern Rhône, specifically Côte-Rôtie (and their legendary “La La” trio), because their founder Etienne Guigal buried his roots here in 1924 and subsequently produced an astounding 67 vintages. 

Two generations have passed since then, and each has added to the empire’s fame: First, it was the acquisition of Vidal-Fleury, followed by the historic Château d’Ampuis, then Domaines Jean-Louis Grippat and de Vallouit. More recently, there have been several other property investments too, but today we’re focused on Grippat and de Vallouit in 2001. These new additions came with vine real estate on the fabled hill of Hermitage, which fulfilled a lifelong dream for the Guigals. 

The Guigal family now own vines ranging from 40-90 years old in the storied lieux-dits of “Les Murets,” “L’Hermite,” “Bessards,” and “Greffieux.” Their parcels are on steep slopes with soils ranging from gravel to sandy loam to Hermitage’s classic granite. In the cellar, fermentation and routine pump-overs for today’s 2012 “Ex-Voto” occurred in temp-controlled stainless steel tanks. Then, the wine matured 42 months in new, tight-grained French barrels. In fact, starting in 2003, the Guigals launched their very own in-house cooperage so most, if not all, of the barrels used for today’s 2012 were dried, built, and toasted by their own team!