Domaine du Tunnel

Domaine du Tunnel was created in 1994 by Stéphane Robert, who still owns and runs it. The base is Saint-Péray, in the northern Rhône, and the estate now covers about twelve hectares across four appellations: Cornas and Saint-Joseph in red, Saint-Péray in white, and Condrieu, added in 2013.

The name refers to a former railway tunnel. In 2014 Robert converted one at the lieu-dit Barras in Saint-Péray into the working cellar: 170 metres of dressed stone cut for the steam line between Valence and Vernoux-en-Vivarais, which holds a steady temperature and humidity. The vines are old, on granite hillsides and terraces, and work in the vineyard and the harvest are done by hand.

The reds are Syrah: Cornas as a village wine and as the cuvées Vin Noir, Pur Noir and Lieu-dit Toto, Saint-Joseph as a village wine and as Peygros. The Saint-Péray whites are Marsanne, Roussanne, Prestige and Pur Blanc; the Condrieu is Viognier. The Syrahs are dark in colour, with black fruit, pepper and firm tannin; the Condrieu shows apricot, white peach and honeysuckle. Arcana Cabinet lists part of the range: Cornas, Cornas Vin Noir, Cornas Pur Noir, Saint-Joseph in red and Condrieu in white.