2024 · Mis en Bouche

Emmanuel Darnaud is a Northern Rhône grower-winemaker who founded his domaine in 2001 and remains the sole proprietor, overseeing both the vineyards and vinification. Based in the Rhône Valley, he works parcels in Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and Hermitage, including the steep Saint-Joseph lieu-dit La Dardouille and Hermitage sites on Bessards and Greffieux. The estate farms organically, with certification in Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph from 2023 and in Hermitage from 2024. Darnaud emphasizes careful, terroir-focused farming and winemaking: manual soil work, hand harvesting, sorting in the vineyard, limited yields, and separate vinification of individual parcels to highlight their nuances. Fermentations include partial destemming, followed by élevage in wood or tank. His wines are noted for fruit, freshness, texture, and clear site expression.