Famille Cecillon
Julien is native from the region, coming from a winemaking family, nephew of excellent maker Jean Louis Grippat. He did not start his career in wine since his uncle sold the vineyards to Guigal in 1998. In his quest for a happy life, he ditched tailored suits and ties for overalls and wellies; making a U turn in 2008 and retrained.
Nancy is from Houston, Texas. She started her winemaking life in Marlborough - New Zealand followed by Napa Valley. She then qualified and worked as a sommelier. They met in San Francisco.
Nancy and Julien are also some of the nicest people I have met in my career and a tasting in their cellar is always a highlight for me. Always left them enriched by our discussion. On my first encounter with them a couple of vintages after their first release, I was instantly attracted to their personality, vision, and the quality of their young wines.
What they have achieved in the last 10 years is remarkable.
From two plots of vines in Saint Joseph, they have spread their wings a little further. They now produce wines in Saint Péray, Cornas, Saint Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage and a myriad of super tasty vin de pays.
They are not resting on their laurels, caring for the land with the utmost respect for the environment and biodiversity. They have gained organic certification in 2022 and are applying biodynamic farming too.
The Wines
Reds
Saint-Péray stands alone in the Northern Rhône as the only appellation rooted in limestone soils, an exceptional terroir that shapes the unique character of its wines. Overlooking the valley, the ruins of Chateau de Crussol dominate the vineayrds, while the sheer limestone cliffs below hint at the elegance and tension found in the glass. Whites of profound caracter marked by an incomparable freshness.
Made from a typical blend of Marsanne and Roussanne, this 2021 vintage now reveals the full breadth of its potential after four years of evolution. A wine of remarkable freshness and depth, it unfolds with classic notes of wildflower honey, ripe stone fruits, and delicate floral nuances. An expressive testament to the power and purity of its origin.
Crozes Hermitage but probably not as you know it. Julien's vines are flanked on the side of the Hermitage hill on steep terrasses coming from the original birthplace of the appellation. This is profound, structured Syrah, with depth and layers. We recommend to decant it for one hour if you would like to drink straight away once purchased. Can keep and age too.
This wine has been in the planning for a long time for Julien Cecillon; a sort of home coming and celebration of his family roots.
The vineyard it comes from has given the name to the appellation itself, the holy grail of all Saint Joseph.
Acquiring the land was a mission in itself, this followed by painstaking work of reconstruction of the terrasses and access, to planting and nusring the wines for three vintages.
The vinification was made with 100% whole bunch and followed by 18 months ageing in the cellars in oak barrels.
Despite the young age of the vines and the wine, this is by far the most complex and ethereal red he has ever produced.
The depth of flavour of this pure Syrah is sensational and the structure feels like an iron fist in a velvet glove. Since the production is microscopic it is a privilege to be able to drink it.
Saint-Péray stands alone in the Northern Rhône as the only appellation rooted in limestone soils, an exceptional terroir that shapes the unique character of its wines. Overlooking the valley, the ruins of Chateau de Crussol dominate the vineayrds, while the sheer limestone cliffs below hint at the elegance and tension found in the glass. Whites of profound caracter marked by an incomparable freshness.
Usually a deep, beefy Syrah, the 2024 vintage has softer tannins, hidden beneath gorgeous, fruit-forward layers. A perfect mid-week treat.
The very first wine Julien and Nancy ever made. Named after a lost land (his uncle’s vineyard). Still their best-known cuvée: sleek, elegant, with just a touch of grip. Will age beautifully — if you can resist opening it.
Nancy’s only wine (she also is a full time mum to twin daughters). It’s soft, elegant, and completely distinctive — truly addictive in character.
It has all the charm of a velvety Burgundy yet uniquely Syrah.
Whites
Julien and his wife Nancy re-write the winemaking family history their own way, after his uncle Jean-louis Grippat retired in 1998. True lover of his native region Julien sets the bar very high in everything he does. Cornas Saint Pierre is a single vineyard at 300m above sea level and faces south. Julien farms using organic and biodynamic principles. Tasting on barrels every year, His Cornas always dominates the line up with its dark, rich profile - graphite to the core. Matured for 18 months in barrels, it evolves and integrates its oaky flavours within 6 months of bottling. A clear sign of understanding the vineyards and the winemaking. If you can resist, we recommend to wait 3 years in bottle to open it... If you can resist.
A very rare bottling, this wine come from the oldest vines the Cecillon have in their vineayrd collection. A steep one hundred year old plot on the side of the Hermitage Hill. Wild boars like to harvest first most years…
When the yields are sufficient enough, Julien and Nancy bottle it separately.
We adore “Les Marguerites” already, but this is another level.