This household name went through an uncomfortable time several years ago, which resulted in Marc Chapoutier leaving the family business. Michel is now in control and the future looks rosy. Situated in the town of Tain l’Hermitage, Chapoutier produces some of the most diverse and complex wines in the northern Rhône. At the heart of Michel’s winemaking philosophy is the adoption of bio-dynamic farming methods, working with the land to develop its intrinsic qualities. Care is taken to respect the ecological balance of the land, encouraging wildlife habitats, planting companion crops and not over farming the soil. Michel allows his wines to spend a maximum of 18 months in small oak casks and they are bottles both unfined and unfiltered; as he says “filtering wine is like making love with a condom”.
