Franck Balthazar

Domaine Balthazar, founded in 1931 by Casimir Balthazar, is an emblematic vineyard of the Cornas appellation in the Rhône Valley. Continuity of production was ensured by René Balthazar until 2002, when his son Franck took over the reins of the family estate. Passionate about organic viticulture, Franck Balthazar quickly knew the direction he wanted his estate to take. An admirer of the classicism and elegance of Pierre-Marie Clape's wines, and a fervent advocate of the frankness and naturalness of Thierry Allemand's wines, Franck represents a successful alliance of these two great Cornas styles. Since the 2010 vintage, the estate has been converting to organic farming. Franck Balthazar favors natural, artisanal methods, working the soil with pickaxes or winches, without herbicides or pesticides. In the cellar, vinification is traditional, with whole harvests, fermentation using indigenous yeasts, long macerations, and ageing for 12 to 18 months in aged demi-muids, with the use of sulfur kept to a minimum. Franck Balthazar is widely recognized and appreciated by wine lovers and critics alike for the remarkable quality of his wines. His commitment to sustainable practices and respect for winemaking tradition make his cuvées authentic examples of artisanal viticulture. The estate, located on steep slopes with granite soils, grows mainly Syrah, the emblematic grape variety of Cornas, perfectly reflecting the region's unique terroir. Franck's philosophy is based on a minimalist approach that respects nature. By working by hand and using ecological practices, he seeks to maintain the natural balance of the vineyard and produce wines that truly express their terroir. Whole-grape harvesting and fermentation with indigenous yeasts preserve the grapes' original characteristics, while long maceration and ageing in demi-muids bring structure and complexity to the wines. Domaine Balthazar wines are renowned for their depth, balance and ageing potential. Each bottle tells the story of the Cornas terroir, with aromas of black fruits, spices and minerals, characteristic of the region's granite soils. Franck Balthazar's commitment and passion continue to honor the family heritage, while bringing a personal and contemporary touch to Cornas wine production.