If there were ever a shortlist of the most skilled winegrowers in France—or anywhere—Pierre and Jean Gonon would be right at the top. Coming from a long family tradition of farming, they took charge of the family domaine in 1988. Just two years later, they transitioned to organic viticulture and earned official certification in 2010. Their steep, demanding vineyards are worked with meticulous attention. They prefer tall vine canopies and use a technique called tressage, where vine shoots are gently woven over instead of trimmed. Planting density is high, from 6,500 to 9,000 vines per hectare.

In the cellar, they stick to classic methods, relying heavily on whole bunch fermentation and extended aging in large barrels (demi-muids), while intentionally steering clear of new oak. These wines often need time to develop, but with age, they offer an elegant, focused structure and lively energy.

Their small-scale holdings are farmed by hand and cover just over 11 hectares across a range of soils—from granite and gneiss to clay and alluvial gravel. The wines come from parcels both inside and outside the Saint-Joseph appellation, and each bottling reflects a precise origin and thoughtful blending:

• Vin de France “Chasselas”
  A rare old-vine parcel planted in 1890, grown on gneiss. Only 0.10 ha.

• Saint-Joseph Blanc Les Oliviers
  A blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne, from 40-year-old vines on granite, clay, and loess. Vineyard covers 2 ha.

• Vin de Pays de l’Ardèche “Les Iles Feray”
  100% Syrah from younger vines (25 years on average), grown on alluvial and granite soils. Total area: 0.72 ha.

• Saint-Joseph Rouge
  Pure Syrah from 40-year-old vines rooted in granite. This is their largest holding, at 7.5 ha.

• Saint-Joseph Rouge “Vieilles Vignes”
  A selection from the oldest Syrah vines, planted in the 1920s, on gneiss. Just 1.2 ha.

Established: 1956
Annual Production: 2,300 – 3,500 cases