Domaine Pilon 

Julien Pilon founded his eponymous estate in 2011, driven by a lifelong connection to the vineyards of his native Rhône Valley. From a young age, he worked among the vines, eventually pursuing a degree in viticulture and oenology, inspired by the dedication of the winemakers he met along the way.

He honed his skills with renowned figures such as Yves Cuilleron in the Rhône, Olivier Decelle at Mas Amiel in Roussillon, and later abroad at Terra Remota in Spain. A pivotal encounter with the wife of Pierre Gaillard in Banyuls further convinced him to carve his own path as a winemaker.

Following a year of world travel, Julien returned to the Rhône with his wife Edmée and daughter, and with the help of winemaker Pierre-Jean Villa, identified promising parcels and began with a small-scale négociant operation. His first vintage, in 2010, was vinified in his parents’ garage, with a clear vision: to express the identity of Rhône terroirs with precision.

Wines are aged for 12–18 months in oak barrels or demi-muids (Cornas sees 18 months in 500 L barrels, with around 30 % new oak).