Saint Joseph

Alain Graillot founded his domaine in Crozes-Hermitage in 1985 after working in Burgundy for many years, and rapidly became one of the most in-demand producers in the Northern Rhone for his exuberant, robust, and complete Syrah-based wines. Graillot’s son, Maxime took over the winemaking in 2008 and continues with his father’s approach. Harvest is all done by hand and Maxime works organically in the cellar, employing whole-cluster fermentation and aging the wines primarily in 1-to-3 year old barrels purchased from some of the top estates in Burgundy.

Domaine Alain Graillot is the undisputed king of Crozes-Hermitage. Having consistently produced an honest reflection of the Northern Rhône for 25 years, Alain’s son Maxime Graillot took over from him in 2008. The wines however are still made in an elegant, old-school style. Favouring savouriness and fragrance over oak and sweetness, whole bunch fermentation is key with the Graillot’s organically-farmed, old vine Syrah. Crozes-Hermitage is the largest appellation in the Northern Rhône and stretches from the back end of Hermitage hill over flatter and more sandy soils.