Eric & Joel Durand took over the family Estate in 1991.
They learned from the previous generations and improved year after year the quality of their wines.They focused their efforts in the vineyard first as it is impossible to make good wines without good grapes. The work is especially hard on the steeply slopes of Saint Joseph (18 acres) and Cornas (12 acres), where they have to rebuild the terraces every year to maintain the earth on the soils.
After 20 years of this meticulous work, the two brothers managed to extract the best grapes ever. The vinification and the ageing is just a natural accompaniment of the grapes. They do not apply a determined receipe to produce their wines. According to the wine or cuvee, the fermentation with last 15 to 30 days and the ageing will happen either in concrete, stainless steel or in barrels. Only a small part of the barrels are new.
With their experience and the finesse of their palates, the Durand brother’s accounts now amongst the most recognized producers on the Northern Rhone Valley, internationally acclaimed by many writers.
Characteristics of the Terroir
AOC Cornas
Vineyards: the area covered by this Appellation is limited to the commune of Cornas in the French Department Ardèche, on the right bank of the Rhône.
Soil types: some silt laden deposits, granite and migma- tite, extremely steep granitic terraces supported by small retaining walls.
Climate: very sunny with the slopes having South and South -east aspects.
Background: this wine’s fame has not diminished since the 10th Century and has been served at the Royal tables of France and elsewhere. In the 19th Century its “quoted” value was the same as Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Only phylloxera followed by urbanisation were to almost get the better of it! A.O.C. status and a renewal of its former high quality have enabled the vineyards to regain their flair and reputation. Cornas was consecrated Local A.O.C. in 1938.
AOC Saint Joseph
Vineyards: these spread over approximately fifty kilometres of the right bank of the Rhône, from Cha- vanay in the North to Guilherand in the South, and include 26 communes, 23 of which are in the Ardèche, and 3 in the Loire.
Soil types: light soils of schist and gneiss on a granitic bedrock. South/South-east aspect.
Climate: moderate continental, hot dry summers with regular rainfall during the other seasons.
Background: delicate and delicious, this wine was being sold as early as the 16th century being enjoyed at the tables of the French Kings. It was given its present name in the 17th Century by the Jesuits of Tournon. In the years between 1956 and 1969, all the vineyards of this part of the Côtes du Rhône were grouped together and were consecrated Local A.O.C. Saint-Joseph.