Rene Rostaing has been a vigneron since 1971, when he began with just 0.5ha of Cote-Rotie vines. Unable to sustain a living from this modest holding, he established a successful sideline in real estate, which continues to this day to pay the bills and finance his real passion, fine winemaking. Rene is not only passionate, but also very fortunate: in 1990 he inherited 3.5ha of outstanding vineyard from his father-in-law, Albert Dervieux-Thaize; then in 1993, he received yet more of the best old vine plantings in the appellation, this time from Marius Gentaz-Dervieux, his wife's uncle. The result is that he now possesses perhaps the finest selection of top vineyard holdings in all Cote-Rotie, including the cream of what were formerly two of the best estates in the Northern Rhone. This 'super-inheritance' is in good hands: Rene Rostaing is a dedicated and conscientious grower, who respects his old vines, and keeps yields below Grand Cru Burgundy levels. Vinifications combine traditional and modern techniques - destemming where appropriate, long cuvaisons with autopigeage, controlled use of barrels and a predilection for 600 litre demi-muids', which according to Rene give the ideal exposure of fruit to oak. Single-vineyard cuvees are bottled separately when their quality and individual terrior-inspired character justify such special treatment; in less good years, they are blended into the generic cuvee, to keep quality at the highest level. The whole range is consistently exceptional, making this one of the most prestigious wine estates not only in the Rhone, but in all France.