The history of CHRISTOPHE SEMASKA is linked to the revival in 1988, of a great CÔTE RÔTIE domain: le CHATEAU DE MONTLYS a gem leftuntouched by the 1789 Revolution.

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Christophe SEMASKA hadn’t planned to become a winemaker, but his passion for fine wines and their history led him to Château de Montlys, at St Cyr sur le Rhône. This 16th-century domain sits on a hillside facing the Rhône. A privileged location to exploit the wines of Côte Rôtie, which today remains the largest private domain in Côte Rôtie. 

Château de Montlys, surrounded by its 8 ha of terraced vineyards, produced its last wine during the First World War of 1914/18. The Côte Rôtie « Château de Montlys » disappeared from the tables of France for 70 years, after the winemakers went off to fight during the 1914/18 war and the total devastation of the vineyards by phylloxera. 

In 1988, 1ha38 of vines were replanted on rested terroir. Over the years, the vineyard has expanded and today stretches over 4ha. Throughout these years we have also developed our range to include other appellations such as CONDRIEU, ST JOSEPH, COTEAU DE VIENNE and CÔTE DU RHÔNE.

Vinification and maturation were carried out in the ancient winery of the Château and the vaulted cellars. But due to the technical and economic expansion of the wine domain, a new winery was built in 2011, at 500m away, with the best equipment for vinification, maturation, and cellaring, and a new reception and tasting facilities.

So that the love and the passion for the terroir continue to shine even brighter, Christophe SEMASKA draws on all his knowledge in detail to achieve excellence.