Yves Cuilleron

“For three generations, wine has been part of my family history, on my mother’s and father’s sides. My paternal grandfather established the estate in 1920, and in 1947 he began selling his wine bottled. In 1960, my uncle Antoine Cuilleron became the manager of my paternal grandfather’s estate. In 1987, when I took over running it, I decided to settle in Verlieu, my mother’s home village.
To be honest, I saw myself becoming a mechanic rather than making wine. But I had reckoned without my solid family education, in which wine and cookery played a big part. Years later, I did my military service in Alsace, and, through tastings and restaurant outings with my buddies, I really caught the wine bug! When my uncle retired, and with no successor lined up, my parents considered selling the estate. I didn’t have a moment’s hesitation. Wine had brought me back to the vines – and from then on, I couldn’t imagine being anything but a vigneron.
Without rigor, passion is not enough. And so I wanted to understand and control everything. To ensure my wines are totally “home made”, I have rejected off-the-shelf ideas, refused to copy others. Since the start, I have personally monitored every stage of production, from planting to bottling. This exacting attitude has driven me to think constantly about my tools and facilities. That’s why I had a new winery built in Verlieu in 1992, and then extended it in 1999. In 2007, a wide-ranging extension and construction program was carried out. Everything was redesigned – the buildings for vinification, aging, storage and hospitality. In a nutshell, I focus on everything. That’s the price you pay for quality."
--Yves Cuilleron