Monteillet, Domaine du
Summary
Domaine du Monteillet is a family-owned estate in Chavanay, Northern Rhône, where Stéphane Montez crafts Syrah-based reds and Viognier whites from steep, granite-rich vineyards across Saint-Joseph, Condrieu, and Côte-Rôtie appellations. Their hands-on approach embraces traditional methods including manual cultivation necessitated by challenging topography, partial stem inclusion during fermentation, and thoughtful oak aging that balances wood influence with terroir expression.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine du Monteillet is a family-owned wine estate located in Chavanay within the Saint-Joseph appellation of France's Northern Rhône Valley. The domaine represents the continuation of a multi-generational winemaking tradition in the region under the Montez family. Currently, Stéphane Montez leads the estate, having succeeded his father Antoine Montez in the family business. Under Stéphane's direction, the domaine maintains its focus on producing wines that express the distinctive terroir of the Northern Rhône.
The estate remains firmly in family hands, preserving the accumulated knowledge and connection to the land that has been developed across generations of Montez family winemaking. While maintaining respect for traditional methods, the domaine has evolved to meet contemporary standards of quality wine production.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine du Monteillet's vineyard holdings span multiple prestigious Northern Rhône appellations, with significant parcels in Saint-Joseph and Condrieu, as well as vineyards in the esteemed Côte-Rôtie area. The vineyards are characterized by the region's defining granite soils and are predominantly situated on steep, terraced hillsides that necessitate manual cultivation and harvesting.
The domaine's portfolio showcases the classic grape varieties of the Northern Rhône. Their red wines are primarily crafted from Syrah, the signature variety of the region, while their white wines feature Viognier (especially in their Condrieu offerings), along with Marsanne and Roussanne.
Key wines produced by the domaine include their Condrieu "Chanson" made from Viognier, Saint-Joseph red from Syrah, Saint-Joseph white (crafted from Marsanne and Roussanne), and their Côte-Rôtie, which follows regional traditions in being predominantly Syrah, potentially co-fermented with a small amount of Viognier.
Philosophy & Practice
Domaine du Monteillet adheres to traditional vinification methods that honor the winemaking heritage of the Northern Rhône region. The challenging topography of their vineyard sites demands hand-harvesting, which allows for careful selection of fruit and helps preserve the quality of the grapes.
For their Syrah-based wines, the domaine employs partial stem inclusion during fermentation, a technique that can add complexity and structure to the finished wines. The aging process typically involves a thoughtful combination of oak barrels and larger vessels, balancing the influence of wood with the preservation of fruit character and terroir expression.
The steep, terraced nature of the vineyards not only contributes to the distinctive character of the wines but also reinforces the domaine's commitment to hands-on viticulture. This approach to vineyard management, combined with careful winemaking practices, allows Domaine du Monteillet to produce wines that authentically represent the unique characteristics of their Northern Rhône appellations.