The Tardieu-Laurent house, based in the charming village of Lourmarin in the heart of Provence, is a key player in the wine world. Founded in 1994 by Michel Tardieu and Dominique Laurent, it quickly established itself as a reference in high-end wine trading from the Rhône Valley. Known for its meticulous selection of parcels and its respectful approach to terroirs, Tardieu-Laurent strives to produce authentic and exceptional quality wines. Today, the house, still passionately run, is committed to highlighting the great Rhône crus, both in the northern Rhône and the southern Rhône.

History and Team

The Tardieu-Laurent house was born from the collaboration of two notable wine personalities: Michel Tardieu, a self-taught wine enthusiast, and Dominique Laurent, a former pastry chef turned winemaker. Together, they established a trading company focused on the pursuit of excellence, sourcing exclusively from winemakers who cultivate exceptional parcels. This house, built on its experience and network, does not own any vineyards. Instead, it carefully selects high-quality grapes and wines, which it then vinifies according to its own methods.

The current team, led by Michel Tardieu, consists of true wine lovers. Their expertise enables them to identify the best parcels and work closely with local winemakers, paying meticulous attention to every stage of the winemaking process. This rigor has allowed the house to assert itself as a reference in wine trading, with limited production but always focused on quality and excellence.

Philosophy: A Trading House Committed to Excellence

The Tardieu-Laurent house stands out in the wine industry with a clear philosophy: to offer high-end Rhône wines, representing the best that the terroir can offer. Unlike many other wine merchants, Tardieu-Laurent does not simply buy and resell finished wines. It is involved in every stage of production, from selecting parcels to bottling. The trusting relationship established with winemakers is essential to ensuring optimal quality, with particular attention paid to respecting the soils and the environment.

The house favors exceptional terroirs located in the most prestigious Rhône appellations. In the northern Rhône, it highlights appellations like Condrieu, famous for its aromatic and elegant white wines, as well as Hermitage and Saint-Joseph, both renowned for their powerful and structured red wines. In the southern Rhône, Tardieu-Laurent produces wines from the iconic Châteauneuf-du-Pape, one of the most prestigious appellations in France, known for its rich and complex reds.

This pursuit of perfection translates into a commitment to producing wines that perfectly reflect the identity of the terroir, while being capable of aging for many years. The excellence of grape varieties such as Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Viognier is enhanced by winemaking techniques that combine tradition and modernity.

Winemaking and Wine Style

Winemaking at Tardieu-Laurent is a rigorous process, imbued with respect for nature and the product. The goal is to allow the grape and the terroir to fully express themselves, without excessive intervention. To achieve this, the house often works with winemakers practicing organic or biodynamic farming, ensuring top-quality grapes, free of pesticides or chemicals.

The winemaking process is slow and meticulous to preserve the grapes' natural aromas. The red wines from Saint-Joseph, Hermitage, or Crozes-Hermitage are traditionally vinified, with long macerations to extract intense black fruit aromas, fine yet powerful tannins, and a superb structure on the palate. Wines from the southern Rhône, such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, are made from emblematic grape varieties such as Grenache and Mourvèdre, giving them a richness on the palate, notes of spice, garrigue, and surprising complexity.

The white wines of Tardieu-Laurent, especially those from the Condrieu appellation, are equally remarkable. Produced from the Viognier grape, these wines reveal a beautiful aromatic complexity with floral notes, white-fleshed fruits, and a freshness that balances the wine’s roundness.

Aging in French oak barrels, some of which are new, adds an additional dimension to the wines, bringing finesse and structure without ever overshadowing the grape variety and terroir characteristics. This mastery of winemaking allows Tardieu-Laurent to produce wines of great elegance, capable of aging harmoniously for many years.

The Wines We Offer

At Vinodelice, we offer a wide selection of these exceptional wines. Among the available wines, you’ll find emblematic cuvées from Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, all from the best parcels selected by the house.

These wines, often sought after by enthusiasts, perfectly embody the balance between power and elegance, typical of the great Rhône crus. The house also excels in the production of white wines, particularly Condrieu, which stands out for its aromatic complexity and freshness on the palate.

The Tardieu-Laurent house embodies passion, rigor, and excellence in the world of Rhône Valley wines. Through a rigorous selection of the best grapes, a winemaking process respectful of the terroir, and constant attention to detail, it produces some of the most sought-after wines in the region. Whether wine lovers are looking for a robust Hermitage or a deep and complex Châteauneuf-du-Pape, they will find an unforgettable experience in the cuvées of Tardieu-Laurent.