Maison M. Chapoutier is one of the most recognizable – and sizeable – producers in the Rhône Valley. It is known for its wines from both the north and south of the valley, but in particular for its red and white Hermitage wines, made from Syrah and a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne, respectively. The family's history in the Rhône dates back to 1808, but it wasn't until 1879 that Polydor Chapoutier transitioned the family from growing grapes to making and trading wine. In 1988, Michel Chapoutier took the company reins, and a push toward quality saw the Chapoutier label begin to gain international recognition. Michel Chapoutier eschewed the use of traditional, large format chestnut foudres for aging, instead moving toward smaller oak casks with shorter aging periods. He also advocated keeping the wines unfiltered and unfined, and to work with only biodynamically or organically grown fruit across all of the vineyards. The man himself: Michel Chapoutier From 1996, all M. Chapoutier labels have included braille in honor of Maurice Monier de la Sizeranne, who created a form of modern abbreviated braille, and was the original owner of the Chapoutier vineyard in Hermitage (indeed, "Monier de la Sizeranne" is the name of Chapoutier's top Hermitage wine). Non-Hermitage wines Outside of the flagship vineyards in Hermitage, Chapoutier has vineyards across the Rhône, including plots in Côte Rôtie, Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Condrieu. These span both single-vineyard expressions and generic AOC-level wines. Chapoutier also makes regional Côtes du Rhône wines, and has viticultural interests in Australia (Domaine Tournon), Portugal and Alsace. Domaine de Bila-Haut Chapoutier's estate at Latour de France in the Roussillon region produces wines under a number of appellations: Côtes du Roussillon Villages Latour de France: The original release, Occultum Lapidem, a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan, and the V.I.T. cuvée, a 65:35 Grenache - Syrah. Côtes du Roussillon Villages Lesquerde: R.I., a 100 percent Syrah, and L'Esquerda (mainly Syrah with Grenache and Carignan). Côtes du Roussillon Villages: The core Bila-Haut red. Côtes du Roussillon: Bila-Haut Blanc. Collioure: Chrysopée red and white wines. Banyuls: Rimage (vintage) and Blanc