Domaine Georges Vernay - 'Le Pied de Samson' Viognier White 2023

Grape

100% Viognier

Tasting notes

Domaine Georges Vernay Le Pied de Samson. The fruit comes from the upper plateau, at more than 300 metres above sea level, which lies outside the delimited Condrieu appellation. As a result, it is bottled under the more modest IGP Collines Rhodaniennes.

Labels aside, this is Viognier of real pedigree. It delivers the aromatic depth, texture, and purity one would expect from many “true” Condrieu wines, often at a far more approachable price point. Certified organic, it offers a precise, expressive interpretation of the grape, shaped by altitude, freshness, and Vernay’s signature finesse.

More About The Winery

Perched on the steep granite terraces of Condrieu, Domaine Georges Vernay is the undisputed reference for Viognier and one of the greatest domaines in all of France. Founded in 1937 and now led by Christine Vernay, the estate has transformed from saving Viognier from extinction to producing some of the most sought-after white wines in the world.

The domaine’s three Condrieu cuvées — Les Terrasses de l’Empire, Les Chaillées de l’Enfer, and Côteau de Vernon — are benchmark expressions of Viognier: precise, complex, and age-worthy, far removed from the plump examples found elsewhere. Tiny yields, old vines, and minimal intervention define the style, producing wines of extraordinary finesse, depth, and minerality.

Beyond Condrieu, Domaine Vernay also crafts outstanding Côte-Rôtie reds — Blonde du Seigneur and Maison Rouge — regarded among the finest of the appellation. More accessible bottlings, such as the Viognier Le Pied de Samson and Syrah Georges Vernay, showcase the domaine’s craftsmanship at superb value.

Internationally acclaimed, Christine Vernay was named “Wine Person of the Year 2012” by Bettane & Desseauve, elevating the domaine to the prestigious 5-star rating alongside legends like DRC, Château Latour, and Château d’Yquem. Remarkably, Vernay remains one of the few family-owned domaines in this elite circle.