Etienne Gonnet established Font de Michelle in 1950. The 30 hectare vineyard is situated in the southeast of the Châteauneuf du Pape.

Since 1975 Etienne’s sons, Jean and Michel, have been managing the estate. For over 30 years the emphasis has been to improve wine making methods, to develop full-bodied wines that are concentrated, refined and through which the terroir can express all of its qualities.

Harvests are done by hand, followed by rigorous separation - directly at the vine. The grapes are totally removed from their stems, with maceration of skins during fermentation lasting for 18 to 24 days for the Châteauneuf du Pape and 8 to 15 days for the Côtes du Rhône. Maturation takes place in January in both foudres and fûts, with bottling occurring 18 months after the harvest.

Today, Bertrand and Guillaume are charged with continuing Etienne’s philosophy of a thought-out growing process that respects the environment and favours the vine’s own natural defences.