It’s the family motto of Jean-Baptiste Palais and his brother François, and it is hard to argue with. At the foot of Ambierle, the Palais family has been tending vines since 1850, and today their wines are every bit as vibrant, individual, and memorable as the family behind them. There may not be a castle, but there is a remarkable collection of vineyards, a deep family history, and a new generation carrying the estate forward.

The Palais family’s vineyards sit in the hills around Ambierle. The domaine was established in 1850 and passed down through generations before wine production came to a halt in 1956. For nearly half a century, the vines were quiet.

In 2000, Yann Palais returned home after studying viticulture and oenology with a plan to bring the domaine back to life. He replanted three hectares of Gamay, now known as Le Carré du Prieur, along with 3,000 square meters of Viognier for Le Jardin des Moines. Bringing Viognier to Ambierle was hardly an obvious choice, but Yann was the first grower to plant it here, borrowing a grape from its better known home in the northern Rhône and giving it an entirely new expression. More Viognier and Gamay followed in 2002, along with Syrah, creating La Tassée des Anges and Le Temps des Griottes. Roussanne and Gewürztraminer eventually joined the mix, further expanding the domaine’s range.

Yann began converting the estate to organic farming in 2007, completing the transition in 2009. His approach has always been less about following convention and more about paying attention to the place itself, allowing the vineyards and the grapes to dictate what comes next.

Now, the next chapter is well underway. In 2022, Yann’s son François returned to the family domaine after working at prestigious estates in France, Switzerland, and Argentina, vinifying his first vintage at home. In 2023, his older brother Jean-Baptiste traded his apron as a cheesemonger for one in the cellar, returning home to help carry the family legacy into its next generation. When the brothers joined the domaine, their father had 6.5 hectares of vines. In 2024, they planted more Gamay and Arvine, followed by even more Gamay in 2026. They now farm 9 hectares of vines, with another 0.4 hectares of Syrah going into the ground next year. Their goal is to reach 12 hectares within the next five years, allowing the domaine to grow while remaining deliberately small enough to manage as a family.

The brothers also recently completed construction of a new winery to accommodate the additional volume from the expanding vineyards. Connected to the original cellar, the new facility gives François the space and flexibility to make the wines exactly as he wants, while the old cellar has been converted into a storage and reception area. It is another sign of a domaine that is growing thoughtfully without losing the history that has defined it.

When we spoke with the brothers about their goals for the future of the winery, Jean-Baptiste told us:

“We believe Côte Roannaise has a bright future ahead and we feel lucky to be part of this journey. My brother and I are grateful to our parents for passing on such a healthy estate, that has been organic for more than 15 years. We aim to gently and responsibly develop the company adding our touch to the wines and the way we market them while keeping the spirit of what has already been achieved.”

There is something particularly exciting about seeing these wines come to the United States now. The Palais family has the history, but they have never been overly concerned with doing things simply because that is how they have always been done. The result is a collection of wines with a strong sense of place, plenty of personality, and a healthy dose of family character.