By Jean Luc Cabirol
Francois Villard is today an esteemed winemaker from the Northern part of the Rhone Valley. Originally,
Francois did not come from a wine makers’ family and started his career as a kitchen Chef and
sommelier but his passion for wine pushed him to plant vines in Condrieu in 1989. His first vintage was a
tiny production of 400 bottles of Condrieu that he entirely sold to a Michelin-star restaurant nearby.
Then, He developed gradually his winery, and based on the quality of his wines and his talent, doors
opened quickly.
Nowadays Francois is at the helm of over 45 hectares of vines producing more than 25 different types of
wines. From whites (Condrieu, St Peray, St Joseph, and Crozes-Hermitage) to reds (Cote Rotie, Crozes
Hermitage, St Joseph, Cornas, Seyssuel), Francois’wines are characterized by their straightforward
character. Mineral, elegant, well-balanced with a full expression of ripe fruits, all his wines rate today as
top in their category.
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Luckily Francois Villard agreed to allocate a part of his best wines to Vietnam. If you love Red wine we
advise you L’Appel des Sereines, a pure Syrah, that delivers a complex message and an astonishing
balance. If you prefer Whites, Contours de Mairlant, a Marsanne Roussanne with the full expression of
the special delicate touch Francois showed since his first cuvee, is a perfect choice.
Amateurs of bigger red wines can opt for Crozes-Hermitage Certitude, Seul en Scene (Seyssuel), and
Cote Rotie Gallet Blanc. The white range is made of Crozes-Hermitage and Viognier, both different but
carrying the full expression of their terroirs.
François Villard’s wine production stays limited Despite having a growing number of fans every year.
Francois Villard’s wines are available at:
Secret Wines Thao Dien
47/1/15, Quoc Hương, Thao Đien, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh
Secret Wines, Pham Viet Chanh
70 Pham Viet Chanh, Ward 19, Ho Chi Minh