Jean-Michel Stéphan can be seen as one of the pioneers in the northern Rhône when it comes to naturally made wines. In Côte-Rôtie he is the reference. Since the early 90s he has been picking Syrah from steep slopes and making unashamedly pure wines from it, seasoned as he is after more than 30(!) vintages.
Jean-Michel comes from a farming family. They grew much more than grapes, and the wine that was made went to the local bistro. At that time (the 80s), the steep slopes in Côte-Rôtie were worthless as agricultural land. They are difficult to work because of the rock-hard and steep soil. The flatter parts along the Rhône river were in demand and therefore cost a lot of money. When JM took over the reins of the family business, he decided to use the slopes after all. In 1986 (after helping out as a teenager with the illustrious Brun family in Beaujolais), he planted his own vineyards. He also went organic, 'that feels better' than the convention.
We now know those young JM plantings (at that time the fruit was sold to Guigal) as the top wines 'Les Binardes', 'Coteaux de Tupin' and 'Coteaux de Bassenon'.
In those early years, JM gradually gets to know more fellow organic farmers, who, like him, also make wine with minimal intervention. At a salon at the epic Cantillon brewery in Belgium, he meets Marcel Lapierre and Philipe and Michèlle Aubèry from Domaine Gramenon (cinematic!). It has a confirming effect and gives an impulse to his company and way of working. Over the years, he perfects his sulfite-free winemaking, with an emphasis on (semi)maceration carbonique and long maturation periods.
Fast forward to the here and now. Jean-Michel now has a justified world fame. Sons Romain & Dorian are in the company, which is now called 'Domaine Stéphan'. A beautiful and brand new building has also been put into use, and 5 hectares of vineyard have been planted outside the AOC Côte-Rôtie, which not only doubles the amount of land, but also provides a much wider range of wines. Jean-Michel, King of Côte-Rôtie, shows that self-will & daring ensure success that transcends generations. He is a pioneer in the genre who is still relevant today.
