Domaine de Bonserine
French pronunciation guide
A historic Côte-Rôtie estate where old-clone Serine, iron-rich schist, and Guigal stewardship combine for some of the northern Rhône's most compelling reds.
Domaine de Bonserine is the second-largest vineyard owner in Côte-Rôtie, farming 12 hectares of iron-rich schist in the northern Rhône. Founded in 1961 and acquired by Marcel Guigal in 2006, the domaine operates with its own independent winemaking team. Its signature La Sarrasine sees 24 months in 80% new demi-muids and is produced at 2,000 to 2,500 cases annually.
- Founded in 1961; purchased by Marcel Guigal in 2006
- Second largest vineyard owner in the Côte-Rôtie appellation
- Total estate: 12 hectares, with 10 ha in Côte-Rôtie and 1 ha in Condrieu
- Grows Syrah (Serine old clone) and Viognier under sustainable, chemical-free agriculture
- Average yield of 30 Hl/Ha, well below the appellation maximum of 44 Hl/Ha
- La Sarrasine aged 24 months in 80% new demi-muids
- Operates independently with its own winemaking team, managed by Ludovic Richard
History and Ownership
Domaine de Bonserine was founded in 1961 and underwent significant enlargement and modernization during the 1990s. In 2006, Marcel Guigal purchased the estate, bringing it under the umbrella of one of the Rhône Valley's most celebrated négociant families. Despite the change in ownership, Bonserine continues to operate as an independent entity with its own dedicated winemaking team, led by manager Ludovic Richard.
- Founded in 1961 in the Côte-Rôtie appellation
- Enlarged and modernized throughout the 1990s
- Acquired by Marcel Guigal (Ets. Guigal) in 2006
- Retains independent operations and winemaking team under Guigal ownership
Terroir and Viticulture
The estate's 12 hectares sit in the northern Rhône under a continental climate with good sun exposure, conditions well suited to ripening Syrah on steep hillside sites. The soils are dominated by iron-rich schist and mica, including decomposed micaschiste, which are defining characteristics of the Côte-Rôtie appellation. Bonserine farms without pesticides, herbicides, or chemicals, reflecting a commitment to sustainable agriculture across its holdings.
- Iron-rich schist and mica soils, including micaschiste décomposé
- Continental climate with strong sun exposure on hillside sites
- Sustainable farming with no pesticides, herbicides, or chemicals
- 10 hectares in Côte-Rôtie, 1 hectare in Condrieu
Grapes and Winemaking
Bonserine focuses on Serine, the old clone of Syrah prized for its pronounced aromatic qualities, which forms the backbone of its Côte-Rôtie production. A small parcel of Viognier supports the Condrieu bottling. Yields are held to an average of 30 Hl/Ha, significantly below the appellation ceiling of 44 Hl/Ha. The flagship La Sarrasine, which constitutes the majority of production at 2,000 to 2,500 cases per year, is aged for 24 months in demi-muids, with 80% of those vessels being new oak.
- Serine (old Syrah clone) emphasizes aromatic intensity over power
- Viognier grown in the Condrieu parcel for white wine production
- Yields average 30 Hl/Ha versus a maximum of 44 Hl/Ha
- La Sarrasine aged 24 months in 80% new demi-muids
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Look it up →Wines and Style
Bonserine produces elegant, complex red wines from Côte-Rôtie and white wines from Condrieu. La Sarrasine is the estate's principal cuvée, accounting for 2,000 to 2,500 cases annually. The use of large-format demi-muids rather than standard barriques allows for gentle oak integration while preserving the aromatic profile of the Serine clone. The combination of low yields, old-clone fruit, and precise cellaring produces wines that reflect the classic northern Rhône character of finesse alongside concentration.
- La Sarrasine is the flagship, produced at 2,000 to 2,500 cases per year
- Demi-muids used for aging to balance oak influence with aromatic detail
- Côte-Rôtie reds and Condrieu whites represent the estate's two appellations
- Style emphasizes elegance and aromatic complexity over extraction
Côte-Rôtie from Bonserine shows the hallmarks of Serine-based Syrah: violet and dark berry aromatics, savory olive and smoked meat notes, and a fine-grained tannic structure. The iron-rich schist imparts a mineral tension, while 24 months in new demi-muids adds spice and texture without overwhelming the fruit. Condrieu whites offer the peachy, floral richness characteristic of Viognier from this appellation.
- Domaine de Bonserine La Sarrasine Côte-Rôtie$60-80The estate's flagship Serine-based Côte-Rôtie, aged 24 months in 80% new demi-muids at 2,000 to 2,500 cases annually.Find →
- Domaine de Bonserine Condrieu$55-75Single-hectare Viognier from Condrieu showing the appellation's signature floral and stone-fruit richness.Find →
- Bonserine is the second-largest vineyard owner in Côte-Rôtie, with 10 ha in the appellation and 1 ha in Condrieu
- Acquired by Marcel Guigal in 2006; continues to operate independently with its own winemaking team
- Grows Serine, an old clone of Syrah valued for aromatic qualities, on iron-rich schist and micaschiste soils
- Yields held to 30 Hl/Ha versus appellation maximum of 44 Hl/Ha
- La Sarrasine aged 24 months in 80% new demi-muids; annual production 2,000 to 2,500 cases