Domaine Chirat

Domaine Chirat – One hundred years of family history and exceptional terroirs in the Rhône Valley

Domain name

Domaine Chirat

Wine region

Northern Rhône Valley – Côte-Rôtie, Saint-Joseph, Condrieu

Philosophy and History

Domaine Chirat began in 1925 when Benoît Chirat left La Chapelle Villard to settle in Saint Michel sur Rhône. From his very first harvests, Syrah and Viognier were the stars, supplying the Condrieu wine bars. The estate's real growth began in 1980 with Gilbert Chirat, who decided to abandon mixed farming to dedicate himself fully to viticulture on the steep terraces of Condrieu. In 2012, his son Aurélien joined the estate, bringing a fresh perspective thanks to his experiences in New Zealand, Burgundy, and the South of France. Together, they are developing the Côte-Rôtie and Saint-Joseph appellations, emphasizing environmentally friendly practices that respect biodiversity, a commitment confirmed by HVE3 certification since 2018.

In 2025, the estate celebrates a century of existence, marking a major milestone in its family history, with a solid heritage and a vision focused on a sustainable future.

Appellations and terroirs

The vineyard is located on the right bank of the Rhône River, spanning three departments: Rhône, Loire, and Ardèche. The vines benefit from a south to southeast exposure on a unique granitic terroir. Planting density varies depending on the area: approximately 9,000 vines per hectare on the slopes and 5,500 vines per hectare on the upper slopes, promoting concentration and aromatic richness in the grapes.

Iconic grape varieties

Syrah dominates the reds, sometimes blended with Viognier for typical cuvées. In white wines, Viognier reigns supreme in Condrieu, while Chardonnay and Marsanne are used in some French wine cuvées.

Production specifics

The estate practices sustainable viticulture, with particular attention paid to soil management, controlled cover cropping, tilling, and responsible plant protection. The harvest is done by hand, followed by meticulous sorting in the vineyard and in the cellar. The vinification of the white wines (Condriu and Saint-Joseph) includes gentle crushing, pneumatic pressing, and alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, barrels, or large casks, with malolactic fermentation controlled according to the vintage. For the red wines (Côte-Rôtie and Saint-Joseph), the grapes are often partially or fully destemmed, with extended maceration under a submerged cap, pump-overs, and rackings, followed by aging in oak barrels, demi-muids, and large casks. Fermentation and aging are adapted to guarantee freshness, power, and finesse. The estate uses French oak, with a careful selection of new and used barrels.

Since 2023, the estate has adopted natural wax for sealing its bottles, eliminating the non-recyclable capsule. The bottles are standardized in the classic Burgundy format to reduce environmental impact. Packaging boxes have been made of simple, recyclable kraft paper since 2024.

Wines from the estate

• Saint-Joseph white “Chays d'Œuvre”
• Viognier "Or Piste" – White French Wine
• Chardonnay-Marsanne “Les Chirats” – White French Wine
• Côte-Rôtie "La Rose Brune"
• Saint-Joseph red "Soloist"
• Saint-Joseph red wine "La Côte"
• Syrah "Or Piste" – Red French Wine
• Syrah-Viognier "Les Chirats" – Red French Wine
• Condrieu “Clos Poncins”
• Condrieu “Les Chays”

Environmental commitment

Domaine Chirat is committed to a sustainable and responsible approach, as demonstrated by its HVE3 certification obtained in 2018. The estate focuses on drastically reducing the use of chemical herbicides, protecting the soil through mechanical tilling and cover cropping, and using eco-friendly corks. These choices reflect a desire to combine tradition and modernity with a deep respect for the environment and the terroir.

Why choose a wine from Domaine Chirat?

• A century of family history in the heart of the Rhône Valley
• A production that respects nature and biodiversity
• A rich range, from prestigious appellations to terroir-driven wines
• Meticulous winemaking adapted to each grape variety and terroir
• Elegant, powerful and full of character wines

Discover the aromatic range and richness of Domaine Chirat wines , reflecting a family tradition and a passion for sustainable excellence.