2022 Dm de La Roche Paradis Saint Joseph Blanc Les Vessettes, Northern Rhone Valley

A field blend, produced from 50% Marsanne (planted mid 1950’s) and 50% Roussanne (younger vines) planted in decomposed granitic soil at Les Vessettes on the slope above the town of Chavanay. Fermented with natural yeasts in barrique with no battonage and bottled after malo to retain the freshness imparted by the granite soils. Only 355 dozen produced. A richer style of Saint Joseph blanc which retains good freshness and acidity and balance.

Yann Menager is a winemaker deeply committed to traditional farming methods. His vineyards are organically managed, with grapes hand-harvested and natural fermentation processes employed, including the use of indigenous yeasts and some whole bunches in the fermentations. Yann’s farm is more than just vineyards; he also raises goats, sheep, chickens, and grows vegetables, all of which are featured at his mother’s table d’hôte, located within walking distance from the family farm and hamlet where they live. Enjoying a meal at this table d’hôte, paired with Yann’s handcrafted wines and the stunning views of the northern Rhône, is a highlight of any visit to the region.

Yann Menager, the owner and winemaker of this small domain, established the estate in 2012 in Saint-Joseph, just south of Condrieu. Before starting his own venture, Yann worked as the vineyard manager for Yves Cuilleron for nearly 20 years. Leveraging his extensive experience, he acquired some exceptional vineyard parcels across 6.5 hectares in Saint-Joseph, Condrieu, and Côte Rôtie.

All of Yann's vineyards are managed organically, without the use of herbicides, and the grapes are hand-picked with yields kept low at around 35 hL/ha or less. The wines are crafted in his small stone winery located in the hamlet of Champailler, perched high above the Saint-Joseph vineyards at an elevation of 798 meters, just below the aptly named Roche Paradis.

Yann’s winemaking approach is minimalist, with a strong emphasis on purity. All wines undergo natural fermentation and malolactic conversion. The whites are whole-bunch pressed to enhance finesse, while the reds include 30-60% whole bunches in the ferment. Larger barrels and demi-muids are increasingly used, with some 400-liter Sylvain barrels. The wines are bottled without fining or filtration.

Yann’s goal is to craft wines with minimal intervention, highlighting freshness, energy, and balance. His wines are characterized by a finesse that reflects the granite and schist soils of the region. These terroir-driven wines are rarely exported and are primarily enjoyed in some of the finest restaurants in Lyon and the surrounding areas. Yann does not seek out reviews or points to market his wines, making them a well-kept secret among insiders.

David Burkitt, Founder and Principal of Vintage and Vine the importer of Domaine de la Roche, shares his excitement about introducing Yann Menager’s wines to the Australian market. Having been an admirer of Rhône Valley wines since the 1980s, David recounts his discovery of Yves Cuilleron’s wines in 1997 and now sees it as fitting to introduce the wines of Cuilleron’s friend and protégé, Yann Menager, more than 20 years later. The limited production and meticulous terroir selection ensure that Yann’s wines will remain exclusive, with only small quantities available, maintaining the high quality that has become the hallmark of this small, fine estate.