Les Vins de Vienne

Les Vins de Vienne was established in 1996 by three winemakers from the Northern Rhône: Yves Cuilleron, Pierre Gaillard, and François Villard. The founders united to restore the ancient, abandoned Roman vineyards of Seyssuel, which are located on the left bank of the Rhône River just north of Vienne. This project began with the manual clearing of fallow land and has since grown from a small estate into a significant winemaking venture that combines estate holdings with a négociant business. While the trio maintains their own individual domaines, this collective remains a central focus for their work together in the region.

The domaine manages 40 hectares of vineyards, with 12 hectares situated on the steep hillsides of Seyssuel and 28 hectares spread across Northern Rhône appellations including Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, and Cornas. The Seyssuel terroir is defined by quartzite and micaceous schist soils with south and southwest exposures. In the winery, the producers employ traditional methods including gravity filled presses and fermentation with indigenous yeasts at controlled temperatures. Many of the red wines, such as the Cornas Les Barcillants, are aged for 12 to 18 months in French oak casks to integrate tannins while preserving the character of the fruit.

The producer is widely recognized for reviving the Seyssuel region through its signature labels, including Sotanum and Heluicum, which are produced from Syrah, and Taburnum, made from Viognier. Because Seyssuel currently holds IGP Collines Rhodaniennes status rather than a specific AOC, these wines are categorized as regional selections despite their reputation. The estate also produces examples from throughout the Rhône Valley, such as their Les Barcillants Cornas and various Saint-Joseph cuvées, along with selected wines from the Southern Rhône. The brand represents a collaboration that merges the individual winemaking philosophies of its three founding owners into a cohesive portfolio.