Vidal Fleury
Summary
Founded in 1781, Vidal Fleury is the Rhône Valley's oldest continuously operating wine producer, crafting a comprehensive range of wines from both northern Rhône's granite and schist slopes and southern Rhône's galets roulés, with particular focus on Syrah-based reds in the north and Grenache blends in the south. Their winemaking is characterized by patient, traditional methods including long macerations, aging in large oak foudres rather than small barrels, and notably extended cellaring before release, preserving regional authenticity while allowing their wines to develop integration and complexity.
Heritage & Leadership
Established in 1781, Vidal Fleury holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating wine producer in the Rhône Valley. The house was founded in Ampuis by Joseph Vidal and later expanded by his son-in-law Gustave Vidal, who partnered with Claude Fleury to develop the business throughout the 19th century. The Fleury family continued to manage operations until 1984, when E. Guigal acquired the company. Despite this acquisition, Vidal Fleury maintains independent operations with separate facilities and winemaking team.
Since 2008, Antoine Dupré has served as Director and Head Winemaker, bringing technical expertise and a commitment to the house's traditional values. Under his leadership, Vidal Fleury has undertaken significant modernization of its cellars while preserving its historical winemaking approaches. The winery's headquarters remain in Ampuis, at the heart of the northern Rhône, where they have operated for over two centuries.
Vineyards & Wines
Vidal Fleury produces wines from across the Rhône Valley's appellations, spanning both northern and southern regions. In the northern Rhône, they craft wines from Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, and Hermitage. Their southern Rhône portfolio includes Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, and Côtes du Rhône.
The northern vineyards focus primarily on Syrah for red wines and Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne for whites, typically planted on steep granite and schist slopes. In the southern Rhône, their wines feature Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre grown in the characteristic galets roulés (rounded stones) and limestone soils of the region.
While maintaining some estate vineyards, Vidal Fleury also works with a network of growers throughout the valley, selecting parcels that align with their quality standards. This approach allows them to produce a comprehensive range of wines that express the diverse terroirs of the Rhône Valley.
Philosophy & Practice
Vidal Fleury adheres to traditional winemaking methods while incorporating modern techniques where beneficial. Their approach centers on minimal intervention, allowing each vineyard site to express its unique characteristics. Red wines undergo long maceration periods to extract optimal color and structure, followed by extended aging in large oak foudres rather than small barriques, preserving fruit character while allowing gentle oxidation.
A hallmark of Vidal Fleury's practice is their patience in aging wines before release. Their cellars house wines for extended periods, particularly for their top cuvées from Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage, which may age for three to four years before reaching the market. This extended maturation contributes to the integration and complexity found in their finished wines.
Temperature control during fermentation, careful grape selection, and meticulous blending sessions form the foundation of their quality-focused production process. Throughout their operations, Vidal Fleury balances respect for traditional Rhône winemaking with practical innovations that enhance quality without compromising the authentic expression of each appellation.