Chateau le Devay

Located in the Northern Rhône, this estate sits merely 2 kilometres away from Côte-Rôtie and was founded in 2015 by Jean-Charles Fournet. Le Figaro has described it as 'the most coveted domaine in the Northern Rhône'. The property encompasses 5.5 hectares of schist and micaschist soils planted at 340–400 metres elevation, where the team produces wines with a commitment to biodynamic viticulture and agroforestry at an uncommon scale—paired with winemaking that emphasises natural processes and terroir expression over extraction.

About the Estate

The venture began when radiologist Jean-Charles Fournet acquired the 18th-century château in 2005. Pierre-Jean Villa, a winemaker friend, saw potential in the site for high-quality viticulture. Following consultation with soil microbiologists Lydia and Claude Bourguignon, Fournet devoted himself to vineyard development with guidance from winemakers Christine Vernay, Yves Gangloff, and Thierry Germain.

A natural amphitheatre bordered by woodland provides the setting—ideal for biodynamic practice. Massal selections spanning five years involved Viognier, Roussanne, and Syrah, undertaken with nurserymen Jean-Claude Lapierre and Lilian Berillon, resulting in a private nursery established in Savoie. The estate was designated as Pilat Regional Park's experimental farm in 2017, where thousands of hedgerow plantings and hundreds of fruit trees were co-planted with vines to encourage pollinating insects and broader biodiversity.

All vineyard labour is manual, employing labour-intensive ancestral pruning methods that enhance sap movement, support long-term vine vigour, and mitigate disease. Since 2019, collaborations with growers in Crozes-Hermitage and Condrieu have brought those wines into the portfolio, made with the same rigour as estate bottlings. Estate wines receive the IGP Collines Rhodaniennes designation.

Winemaking seeks to express the tension and salinity inherent to schist terroirs. Hand harvest is accompanied by meticulous sorting in both vineyard and winery. Two to three-year-old barrels and demi-muids serve as the primary aging vessel, with new oak excluded to preserve mineral character. This measured approach lets the site's identity emerge clearly in the finished wine.

Wines in Our Collection

The 2023 Entre les Murs Viognier (IGP Collines Rhodaniennes) brings tropical and balanced character from estate fruit, rated 4.0 on Vivino. The 2023 Sous les Étoiles Roussanne (IGP Collines Rhodaniennes) offers comparable tropical notes with a 4.1 rating. For a more structured white option, the 2023 Condrieu Viognier scored 89 points from Jancis Robinson, delivering complexity and cellaring potential.

The red selections include the 2021 and 2022 Côte Levant Syrah (IGP Collines Rhodaniennes), both rated 4.1 on Vivino—rich, intense interpretations of schist terroir with solid structure. For a benchmark Northern Rhône red, the 2022 Crozes-Hermitage Syrah scored 89 points from Jancis Robinson; its 2023 vintage (85 points Jancis Robinson) displays an identical house signature in a fresher, more immediately accessible manner. Select the whites for aperitif, seafood, or lighter meals; choose the reds for roasted meats, game, and savoury winter dishes.

Food Pairing

The Viognier and Roussanne complement seafood, roasted white fish, and light poultry—their salinity pairs especially well with briny shellfish. The Syrah-based selections work beautifully with roasted duck, lamb, wild boar, and rich beef preparations. The mineral profile and moderate oak treatment render these wines accommodating without dominating delicate dishes. Pair the reds with herb-crusted meats and root vegetable gratins.

Why was Château le Devay established so recently if the château dates to the 18th century?

Jean-Charles Fournet purchased the estate in 2005 as a property investment. He didn't plant vineyards until 2014, guided by winemaker Pierre-Jean Villa's recognition of the site's potential. The domaine officially established in 2015.

What makes the biodynamic approach at Château le Devay different?

The vineyard operates within a natural amphitheatre with woodland borders—ideal for biodynamics. Co-planting 3,500 hedge trees and hundreds of fruit trees encourages pollinating insects and biodiversity. Hand-pruning using ancestral techniques improves vine health long-term.

Why does Château le Devay avoid new oak?

New oak masks the tension and salinity that schist soils provide. The estate uses two- to three-year-old barrels and demi-muids instead, allowing mineral terroir character to remain clear in the finished wine.

Who makes Château le Devay wines?

Jean-Charles Fournet founded the estate in 2015 in the Northern Rhône, 2km from Côte-Rôtie. He developed it with winemaker Pierre-Jean Villa and guidance from consultants including Christine Vernay, Yves Gangloff, and Thierry Germain.

What style of wine does Château le Devay make?

They produce white wines from Viognier and Roussanne, and red Syrah, all with tropical and balanced or rich, intense character. The 2023 Condrieu Viognier scored 89 points, reflecting their focus on mineral terroir expression over extraction.

How much does Château le Devay wine cost?

Prices range from £34.15 to £62.85. Entry-level reds and whites start around £34–£35, mid-range bottles sit at £42–£43, and their flagship Condrieu reaches £62.85.