History

Between 1769 and 1780, the land on the left bank of the Vienne vineyard consisted of a large vineyard at Gervans, Erôme and Crozes, adjoining that on the Hermitage hillside with La Chapelle and Muret, as well as another vineyard on the heights of Mercurol. For a long time, most of the appellation area was occupied by orchards (center and south) or wasteland (north). The Crozes-Hermitage appellation was created in 1937. At the time, it was limited to the commune whose name it bears, due to the notoriety acquired thanks to a few parcels retained in the Hermitage AOC. It was not until 1952 that the decree included the ten other surrounding communes. It was only after the appellation was extended that the vineyards were developed.

Terroir & Climate

The vineyard extends over 11 communes on the left bank of the Rhône, north, south and east of the town of Tain-l'Hermitage. It is located 20 km north of Valence and 3 km north of the village of Tain-l'Hermitage. Today, there are some 1,950 hectares in production, of which 90% are reds and 10% whites. The extensive Crozes-Hermitage vineyards are subject to a dual influence... To the north, it is temperate, with an almost permanent wind that dries out the air along the Rhone corridor. It brings fine weather and cool temperatures in summer, but also bitter cold in winter. Coming from the south, it generally heralds the arrival of stormy disturbances. The influence of the Mediterranean climate is also felt... High levels of sunshine (around 2,400 hours per year) are coupled with hot, dry summers. Winters are semi-continental, cold but not excessively so. Rainfall is moderate, and particularly heavy at the end of summer (Cevenol effect). The vineyards are vast and the soils quite diverse. The largest part, to the south and east of Tain-l'Hermitage, is made up of thick layers of rolled pebbles from different ice ages mixed with red clay, forming relatively flat reliefs known as plateaux or terraces (les Chassis, les Sept Chemins...). To the north-west, there are terroirs with fairly steep slopes. Towards Larnage and Crozes-Hermitage, these are stony terraces covered with loess or white kaolin sand; the northern communes (Erôme, Serves and Gervans) are on granitic soils also covered with loess.

Grape varieties and wine typicity

For the reds: Syrah offers a fine balance between fruit and tannin. Luscious and tender, they have a garnet-red color and a nose of red fruit and floral aromas, although some winemakers play the card of charming robustness. A medium-age wine, it can be enjoyed from its earliest youth. Fresh in the early years, it acquires more animal notes of spice and leather over the years. The whites, made from Marsanne and Roussanne grapes, have a lovely golden color and are full-bodied, yet dry and well-balanced. They also reveal a pretty floral nose with hints of dried fruit. - Our parcel in AOC Crozes Hermitage Our parcel is located in the locality of Vie Magne in the commune of Beaumont Monteux. The grape variety planted is Syrah. Planting density is 6,000 vines per hectare. The vines have an average age of 15 years. They are trellised in double cordon de royat. This magnificent terroir of rolled pebbles gives us the Vie Magne cuvée, a fresh, gourmet, spicy wine (clickable link to store).