Our point of view
A sense of place.A human perspective.
Our curiosity guides us towards wines that express a connection between people and place. We look at where they grow, the people who make them, and the choices that shape their character — from established family domaines to a new generation finding their own voice.
THE JOURNAL · 2026
Read the wine beyond the bottle.
Explore the places, people and ideas behind the wines we represent. Each story connects back to the producers and bottles that bring it to life.
01FeaturedEstate · France
Domaine Cassagne et Vitailles
A new standard of Terrasses du Larzac
02Estate · France
Maison Stéphan
The radical purist of Côte-Rôtie
03Estate · France
Domaine Geantet-Pansiot
A classic expression with a modern touch
04Estate · Germany
Weingut Tom Benz
The modern voice of MoselNorthern Rhône Valley · Rhône · Estate MS
A Family’s Approach to the Northern Rhône
Maison StephanJean-Michel Stéphan established his domaine in 1991 in Tupin-et-Semons, in the southern part of Côte-Rôtie. Today, he works alongside his sons Romain and Dorian, who bring their own energy to a family approach shaped by decades of observation and experience. The steep vineyards demand patient, physical work. Much is done by hand, with a horse used where access allows. Biodynamic farming reflects the family’s attention to the life of the soil and the relationship between the vines and their surroundings. The estate received Demeter certification in 2023. Syrah and its historic local selection, Sérine, are central to their work. Among their vineyards are very old vines that connect the family to an earlier chapter of the region’s history. Differences in site, soil and vine age give them distinct expressions to work with. Jean-Michel was an early advocate of natural winemaking in the Northern Rhône. Fermentations rely on indigenous yeasts, extraction is gentle, and cellar intervention is kept to a minimum. This approach calls for close attention to the fruit and to the way each fermentation develops. An important idea for the family is digestibilité: wines with energy, freshness and depth that remain inviting to drink. Aromatic expression and fine texture matter as much as structure. Their wines bring together the floral fragrance, pepper and savoury character of the Northern Rhône, with a vividness that gives each cuvée its own personality.
Why We Love It
We admire the conviction behind the family’s work and the attention needed to carry it through. Biodynamic farming and minimal intervention form part of a daily relationship with the vineyards, built through observation, physical work and patience. What stays with us in the wines is their energy: the lift of the aromas, the detail in the texture, and the freshness running through their depth. They encourage you to return to the glass and notice how the wine is changing. The family’s idea of digestibilité also feels close to our own understanding of wine. Complexity and drinking pleasure belong together. A wine can hold your attention, develop over time and still feel at ease at the table. That combination is a large part of why we love sharing Maison Stéphan.
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