Christophe Billon is a winemaker with a passion for crafting exceptional Syrah wines from the renowned Côte-Rôtie region in France. His family has been rooted in this area for generations, and their oldest parcel of vines dates back to the end of World War II.
For many years, Christophe balanced his job at Guigal with his own domaine, but in 2007 he made the decision to fully dedicate himself to his family's winemaking project. Today, he works alongside his son Corentin, who joined the family business after completing his wine studies in 2015.
The Billon family produces four distinct Côte-Rôtie cuvées, each one showcasing the power and purity of the region's steep, terraced slopes. Their 'Côte Rozier' and 'La Brocarde' cuvées, located on the 'Brune' side of Ampuis, are classic Syrah wines known for their structure and longevity. 'Rozier' boasts the estate's oldest vines, planted by Christophe's grandfather, while 'La Brocarde' offers a more lively and refined expression of the terroir.
A newer addition to the portfolio is the 'La Vialliere' cuvée, also on the 'Brune' side, which displays a more floral and elegant character. On the 'Blonde' side, the family combines grapes from four different parcels to create their 'Les Elotins' cuvée, a beautifully balanced and fruity wine with a touch of floral notes.
The Billon family's vineyards span 25 acres in and around the central Côte-Rôtie village of Ampuis, with plots on both the 'Brune' and 'Blonde' sides. These distinct terroirs, with their different soil compositions, contribute to the unique characteristics of each of their wines.
In their commitment to sustainable farming, the Billon family tends to their vines by hand, as the steep terrain makes it difficult for machinery to access. Grapes are also hand-harvested and fermented on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled tanks. The resulting wines are then aged in French oak casks or barrels, with minimal intervention to preserve the true expression of the terroir.
With over 200 words, this copy provides an informative and evocative glimpse into the world of Christophe Billon and his family's renowned winemaking in Côte-Rôtie.
