Presentation
The Domaine Georges Vernay, founded in 1937 by Francis Vernay in Condrieu, is an emblematic estate of the northern Rhône Valley. Pioneer in the plantation of Viognier on the Coteau de Vernon, Francis launched the first mythical cuvée «Coteau de Vernon». His son, Georges Vernay, took over the torch in 1953, playing a crucial role in safeguarding the Condrieu appellation and the Viognier grape variety, which earned him the title of «Pope of Condrieu». Since 1996, Christine Vernay, third generation, has been running the estate with passion, extending the vineyard to 24 hectares spread over the appellations Condrieu, Côte-Rôtie and Saint-Joseph. Under his direction, the estate has obtained certification in organic viticulture and applies the principles of biodynamics, producing wines recognized for their elegance and complexity.
Location
Parcels located at the lieux-dits “La Caille” and “Sainte-Agathe,” right in the heart of the village of Condrieu, on biotite granite soils.
Terroir
High-density planting: 10,000 vines per hectare.
In the vineyard
Due to the steep terrain, mechanization is impossible. The vineyard is naturally grassed and maintained manually using pickaxe and winch. Certified organic (Ecocert) and farmed biodynamically, with applications of Maria Thun’s cow manure compost, BD 500 and 501 preparations. Vines are pruned using the single Guyot method.
Harvest
Manual harvesting at full ripeness, with grapes picked into 20kg crates.
Winemaking
Whole-cluster direct pressing, followed by cold static settling and fermentation on fine lees.
Ageing
Aged for 10 months in 20hl wooden tronconic vats and barrels.
Varietal
Viognier : 100%
Specifications
Age of vines : 35 years old
Serving
Recommended temperature: 12–14 °C
Ageing potential
3 to 5 years
Tasting
On the nose, Terrasses de l’Empire offers an explosion of ripe white fruits — vineyard peach, apricot, and pear — enriched by delicate floral notes and a touch of sweet spice. The palate is broad and silky, confirming the fruity aromas with additional hints of almond and honey. The finish is long and persistent, underpinned by mineral tension and a subtle bitterness that brings freshness and balance.
Visual appearance
Golden yellow with green reflections.
At nose
Ripe white fruits, floral notes, sweet spice.
On the palate
Ample and silky, fruity with almond and honey notes, fresh mineral finish with subtle bitterness.
Food pairings
This Condrieu pairs beautifully with:
Pan-seared foie gras — the wine’s richness and freshness balance the dish’s intensity.
Roasted sea bass with citrus — highlighting both the wine’s fruit and its zesty edge.
Scallops in saffron cream — echoing the floral and spicy notes of the Viognier.
Cheese lovers will enjoy it with creamy Brie de Meaux or aged Roquefort, which enhance its aromatic depth and texture.
