The Guigal domain was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in the ancient village of Ampuis, home of the wines of the Côte-Rôtie. In these vineyards that are over 2400 years old, you can still see the small terraced walls characteristic of the Roman period. Etienne Guigal arrived in this region in 1923 at the age of 14. He made wine for over 67 vintages and, at the beginning of his career, participated in the development of the Vidal-Fleury establishment.

Despite his young age, Marcel Guigal took over from his father in 1961 when the latter was victim to a brutal illness rendering him blind. Marcel's hard work and perseverance enabled the Guigals to buy out Vidal-Fleury in 1984, although the establishment retains its own identity and commercial autonomy. In 2000, the Guigals purchased the Jean-Louis Grippat estate in Saint-Joseph and Hermitage, as well as the Domaine de Vallouit in Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage.

In the cellars of the Guigal estate in Ampuis, the northern appellations of the Rhône Valley are produced and aged. These are the appellations of Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage. The great appellations of the Southern Rhône, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Tavel and Côtes-du-Rhône, are also aged in the Ampuis cellars.

Situated between the king of rivers and an exceptional vineyard, the Château d’Ampius was originally a fortress in the 12th Century and was later converted into a Renaissance style château. Over the years, it has opened its doors to many illustrious people. Just one league away from the ancient city of Vienne, the Château d’Ampuis was positioned in an exceptionally favourable spot; nestled between the Rhône and the ancient vineyards of the Côte-Rôtie.

This privileged site has sheltered populations since the paleolithic era but it was during the Roman era in particular that the location underwent elaborate construction and expansion under the name of Villa d’Ampuicius.

With its 12th Century origins followed by the first renovation by Pierre d’Ampuy at the beginning of the 14th Century, it is the famous MAUGIRON family who gave aristocratic credentials to the Château d’Ampuis. The building remained in this family from 1512 to 1755 during which period it played host to several kings of France. Subsequently, the families HARENC de la CONDAMINE and then CIBEINS were responsible for ensuring that the château reached the 20th century in a good state of conservation.

Unfortunately, during the 20th century this beautiful building was subject to neglect and fell into a state of disrepair.

Acquired by the Guigal family in 1995, the Château d’Ampuis was then registered as a national historic monument. Since then it has undergone a colossal programme of renovation in order to restore the building to its former glory.

This process has taken nearly 11 years with over 100 people working on the project for over 5 years. The work was overseen by Jean-Gabriel MORTAMET, Chief Architect of Historic Monuments and the result is a restoration of the utmost quality.

Today, Château d'Ampuis is the headquarters of the Maison GUIGAL. Tours and visits are organized at the domain's historic cellars located in the heart of the city of Ampuis.

The walls proudly display the motto from its prestigious past, “No Pains, No Gains”. A motto which expresses the ethos of this Rhône establishment perfectly.

Winemaker Notes

The hallmark of Château d’Ampuis is an unbelievably seductive perfume full of sweet black fruits and spices, and an elegance despite the intense concentration of fruit (prunes, blackberry) and tannin. Château d’Ampuis defines what a great Côte-Rôtie should be with its beautiful balance, muscular complexity and length. A wine from a tannic and muscular vintage due to the hot climate. Solid tannins, yet well rounded by long oak ageing.

Professional Ratings

97Jeb Dunnuck
Scheduled to be botted at the end of this October, the 2019 Côte Rôtie Chateau D'Ampuis is another beautiful, layered, incredibly impressive wine. Ripe darker fruits, smoked meats, tapenade, and ground pepper all define the bouquet, and it's full-bodied, with a wealth of baby fat, lots of tannins, and a great, great finish. It's certainly in line with past vintages and perhaps shows a touch more tannic structure than the 2018.
Barrel Sample: 95-97
96Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Cote Rotie Chateau d'Ampuis is a super example of this cuvée, which blends fruit from seven different lieux-dits (three on the Cote Blonde and four on the Cote Brune). Smoky, herbal and complex, with a solid foundation of blueberry and raspberry fruit, it's full-bodied and concentrated yet silky, elegant and long on the finish.
Barrel Sample: 94-96
96James Suckling
This combines the elegance and finesse for which the appellation is famous with tremendous power. In spite of this the tannins are very fine, the generous oak already beautifully woven into the plush tapestry of flavors. Stunning length and complexity at the finish. From seven plots that are neighbours to La Mouline and La Landonne on the Cote-Rotie. A cuvee of 93% syrah and 7% viognier. Matured in 100% new oak barrels for 38 months. Drink or hold.
95Wine Spectator
Fresh and stewed plum flavors have a caressing feel, with bitter chocolate and singed lard chiming in. Orange peel acidity nicely props up the round, weighty palate, while bitter cherry, roasted apple wood and mesquite smoke stretch out on the firm, iron-edged finish. This should have a long life ahead in the cellar. Drink now through 2032.