Description
Established in 1973 by Pierre and Cécile Durdilly in Le Bois-d'Oingt, at the southern tip of Beaujolais, Domaine Les Gryphées has a long history of crafting serious Gamay wines. The estate's evolution accelerated in 2007 when their son, Guillaume, took over winemaking. He spearheaded an expansion of their holdings, specifically seeking out abandoned, older-vine, cru vineyards and dedicated himself to restoring them to their full potential. The family now farms approximately thirty-five acres throughout Beaujolais. The domaine's name, Les Gryphées, is a nod to its unique terroir—fossilized seashells that audibly crunch underfoot in the vineyards. This mineral-rich soil imparts a complexity that distinguishes their wines from the more rustic bottlings typical of the region. Their approach combines traditional Beaujolais winemaking with sustainable farming, hand harvesting, native-yeast fermentation, and a preference for minimal intervention.
Juliénas is one of Beaujolais’s northernmost crus and one of its oldest winegrowing areas, with roots reaching back more than 2,000 years to the Gallo-Roman era. Domaine Les Gryphées’ Juliénas “En Rizière” Vielles Vignes is a 100% Gamay from a historic vineyard planted to vines that are (on average) 50 years old. This wine was made to show the cru’s lifted, earthy, and expressive character rather than heavy extraction. Bright and finely detailed, it opens with red cherry, wild raspberry, and cranberry, layered with violet, dried herbs, and a subtle earthy mineral edge. The palate is supple and vibrant, with juicy fruit framed by savory spice, crushed stone, and a gentle tannic grip that gives the wine shape without weighing it down. An elegant balance of freshness and depth carries through the finish, making it both immediately appealing and quietly complex.
