Founded in 1973, Domaine Niero is run today by the third generation, Remi Niero. Remi took over from his father, Robert, in 2004, after inheriting a lifetime of knowledge and passion for winemaking from both his father and grandfather.
The vineyards are located on the terraced hillsides of Condrieu and Côte-Rôtie, two prestigious appellations in the Northern Rhône. Niero's production is very limited, but his wines represent the best that the Rhône has to offer. The vineyards are cultivated sustainably, in an effort to grow better grapes and preserve the special landscape of the vineyards. For Rémi, the essence of winemaking lies mainly in the vineyard: the wines must show where they come from.
Niero has 3 hectares in Condrieu & 2 hectares in Côte-Rôtie:
The Condrieu vineyard nearly disappeared several times, suffering throughout history from invasions, raids and phylloxera at the beginning of the twentieth century. The Avignon popes strove to reconstruct this vineyard for their pleasure, and soon Condrieu had regained is prestige.
The Condrieu AOC covers nearly 200 hectares, of which 100 is under vine. There are six parcels on the steep hillsides overlooking the Rhône river: Côteau de Chéry, La Roncharde, Côte Chatillon, La Caille, Vergelas and Corbéry. Viognier is planted on steep granitic hillsides overlooking the river, experiencing warm mornings and cool nights.
The Côte-Rôtie vineyard is one of the oldest vineyards in France, developed by the Romans. During the Middle Ages, a legend says that Lord Maugiron shared his wealth between his two daughters, one brunette and the other blond, hence the names that the wines have kept: Côte Brune and Côte Blonde.
The Côte-Rôtie AOC covers 300 hectares, of which nearly 200 are under vine. It covers 3 communes: Saint-Cyr sur Rhône, Ampuis and Tupin-Semon. Côte-Rôtie is the domain of the Syrah vine, which is broad and manly. The vine is harvested on very steep granitic hillsides called “chaillets”, held back by stone walls. Rémi and Robert Niero’s Côte-Rôtie comes from two parcels: La Viallière and Le Côteau de Bassenon.
