Thibaud Capellaro
Thibaud Capellaro is a young winemaker based in Condrieu, the appellation where Viognier is king. Armed with his promising beginnings, he stands out for his daring to think outside the box at the regional conventions of Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu. After studying business, he chose to follow his passion for wine and created his own wine estate. He gained valuable experience working alongside different winemakers in France (André Perret, Domaine Joblot, Château le Devay, Domaine Duclaux) and Australia (Adam Foster, Syrahmi). After humble beginnings renting a basement, he recently moved to a spacious new winery, conducive to experimentation and growth.
Thibaud's project consists of two distinct components. First, there is "Slope", a trading project, where he sources grapes from small farmers and winemakers in the region, all practicing organic farming. These vineyards are found in Ardèche, in the Monts du Lyonnais, in Gard, and even in Italy, in Piedmont. The second part of his project is his own estate, where he grows his own grapes. Thibaud bought two plots from François Bouillot-Salomon, as well as other unused plots from a local farmer. These lands, once neglected due to their less than ideal exposure, have become an asset in the face of climate change and constantly rising temperatures in the region. Thibaud has been working on these plots for three years, planting and reconstructing the terraces.
Thibaud winemaking presents some particularities for the region, where routine often prevails. It clearly adopts a natural approach, favoring minimal intervention, with the exclusive use of native yeasts and spontaneous fermentations. Its aim is to highlight the full range of aromas and flavors of the fruit and terroir, rather than focusing on winemaking. He experiments with different types of vessels, such as old oak barrels, stainless steel, fiber, as well as terracotta and ceramics. Thibaud is transparent about the use of sulfur dioxide (SO2): he adds it to certain wines when they need it, while others do not contain it, and only at the time of bottling.
Thibaud's wines reflect his personality: honest, original, and indifferent to conventions. They are straight and modest, gradually revealing a depth and structure that is fully discovered over time.
