Starting with just a half-hectare in 1971, the Rostaing estate now encompasses more than 8 hectares spread over 20 plots and includes holdings in Languedoc near Nîmes. René Rostaing was mentored by his uncle Marius Gentaz, who worked 50 harvests in Côte-Rôtie. After nearly 50 harvests by himself, René has been joined by his son Pierre, who spent time in business consulting before attending wine school in Montpellier.
Historically low vineyard prices in the 1970s allowed the estate to acquire a prized half-acre each in the Côte Blonde and La Landonne lieux-dits. The holdings of Albert Dervieux, the former winemaker and mayor of Ampuis, were folded into the Rostaing family winery in 1993. Since then, the family have been steadfast keepers of the “classicist” flame. Whole-cluster fermentation is employed in the vast majority of cuvées, and very little new oak (<15%) is used among the 600-liter barrels.
And since 1996, the Puech Noble label has produced limestone-grown Syrah Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Rolle from a galet-covered hill. These are truly “sleepers” not to be missed, given the tiny allocations of the northern wines usually available.
