Today, M. Chapoutier ranks among the most highly regarded wine producers of the Rhône Valley and owns extensive vineyard holdings primarily in the Northern Rhône, as well as in other French regions and international projects, notably in Portugal and Australia.
The winemaking tradition of the Chapoutier family dates back to 1808, when the family’s ancestors first cultivated vines in the Rhône Valley, at the heart of the Northern Rhône around Tain-l’Hermitage. The foundations of the future estate were laid in 1879, when Polydor Chapoutier acquired his first vineyards, marking the transition from a simple winegrower to a wine producer. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the business gradually expanded and established itself as a local producer and merchant of wines from legendary sites such as Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie and other major appellations of the Rhône Valley.
In the mid-20th century, the estate was led by Max Chapoutier, who played a key role in the professionalization of production. A decisive turning point came at the end of the 20th century, when Michel Chapoutier took over the family business in 1990 and initiated far-reaching changes. Under his leadership, the estate’s philosophy became firmly rooted in respect for terroir, the consistent application of biodynamic viticulture and a strong focus on single-parcel wines (Sélections Parcellaires), which express the pure and distinctive character of individual terroirs.
Another defining feature of modern Chapoutier wines is the use of Braille on all labels, introduced in the mid-1990s. This innovation was born from the desire to enable visually impaired consumers to identify the wines and also reflects the estate’s strong sense of social responsibility.
Today, M. Chapoutier ranks among the most highly regarded wine producers of the Rhône Valley and owns extensive vineyard holdings primarily in the Northern Rhône, as well as in other French regions and international projects, notably in Portugal and Australia. The portfolio spans a wide range, from classic appellation wines to highly acclaimed top cuvées that consistently receive outstanding reviews. Chapoutier’s approach—crafting wines as true expressions of their terroir and highlighting the natural character of each grape variety—has earned international recognition and established the estate as a leading force in biodynamic and terroir-driven winemaking.
