Johann Michel is a self-taught winemaker who discovered his passion while tasting old bottles of wine with his grandfather. His first vintage was 1997. He works alongside his wife Emmanuelle, farming a little over 5.5 hectares (13.5 acres) spread between three AOC’s:
"Johann Michel continues to produce brilliant wines from the steep, granite infused slopes of Cornas. Both his 2012s, which I raved about last year, and his 2013s are some of the most successful in appellation. - Jeb Dunnuck"
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #216, December 2014)
"One of the rising superstars in Cornas is without a doubt the young and incredibly talented Johann Michel. Creating the estate in 1997, he farms a little over four hectares (in the lieux-dits of Bayonnet, Les Côtes, Chaillots and Saveaux) all organically and makes a single St Péray and two Cornas: a classic Cornas and his flagship Cuvée Jana. The wines are all completely destemmed and aging occurs (on lees) in two- to four-year-old barrels. The wines show the more polished, elegant side to the appellation, have gorgeous purity of fruit, and never lack for texture and depth. They’re no-brainers well worth checking out. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #222, December 2015)