Appellation: Saint Joseph
Grapes: Syrah
Size: 150cl
 
Pierre Gaillard studied Viticulture and Enology in Beaune, and obtained a Graduate Diploma in Winemaking from Montpellier. He bought his first parcel of land in 1981 which was called Clos de Cuminailles in Saint Joseph. It was there in the upper part of the medieval town of Malleval that Gaillard established his business. In 2002, he created the estate of Madeloc in Banyuls-sur-Mer, followed by the estate of Cottebrune in Faugères in 2007. Today, Pierre Gaillard and his family manage a total of 77 hectares. 
The vineyard is located in the northern part of the Rhone Valley, ranging from Cote-Rotie down through to Cornas in the South. Planted on steep slopes, the vines are located on the last foothills of the Massif Central. 
Environmental grape growing techniques are implemented on the three estates. The use of organic fertilizers is adjusted to each vineyard’s needs. High plantation density allows the roots to develop and helps to regulate the yield. The soils are tilled to push the roots to grow deep into the soil, letting the vines benefit from the terroir’s natural resources. Pierre Gaillard tries to make sure that the phenolic maturity of the grapes is achieved around the same time as their alcoholic maturity. The implementation of leaf-fining and green harvesting increases the foliage exposed to the sunlight, thereby directly influencing the wines’ structure and color.