The Saint-Joseph appellation is a renowned terroir and is home to several winemakers who produce natural wines.
Planted on steep hillsides, terraced since antiquity and called "Vin de Mauves" in the 14th century (highly appreciated by the kings of France), the terroir was renamed "Saint-Joseph" in the 17th century by the Jesuits of Tournon. Since then, the reputation of the vineyard has continued to grow. Victor Hugo even talks about it in Les Misérables. In 1956, Saint-Joseph was officially recognised as an AOC. 90% of the wines produced are reds made from Grape variety Syrah, the white is made from Marsanne and Roussanne. Syrah...a marvel, especially tamed by these great winemakers, demanding in the image of their terroir...
Hervé Souhaut
When the Parisian biologist Hervé Souhaut meets the wines of Marcel Lapierre and Philippe Pacalet, it's the trigger! Direction the Ardèche where Béatrice, his wife, owns a few vineyards. He goes back to school, does his apprenticeship with the purists Dard and Ribo. In Arlebosc, behind the beautiful slopes of Saint Joseph, he invented a Winery in 1993. The Winery was slowly built up with Gamay in Arlebosc, Syrah on the hillside of Saint-Epine opposite that of l'Hermitage and finally some white grape varieties such as Viognier and Roussanne. Mainly old vines between 50 and 100 years old on granitic soils with high acidity.
By taste and by choice, he chooses the natural approach to vine growing. He borrows his specifications from organic farming, touches a little on biodynamics but refuses any certification. He remains independent in his thinking. At the beginning of 2010, he took over the vines in the Saint-Joseph appellation, 1.5ha in one piece as far as the Ste Epine area. The particularity of this plot: orientation that starts in the north and ends in the south. The cuvée that comes from it, "Les Cessieux 2015", is very elegant, very fine with floral and peppery aromas. The tannins are delicate despite the youth of this cuvée. The terroir expresses itself masterfully. Also available in magnum for the most greedy...
>> FIND THE NATURAL WINES OF Winery HERVE SOUHAUT HERE
Winery Aléofane - Natacha Chave
>> FIND THE ORGANIC AND NATURAL WINES OF Winery ALÉOFANE HERE
La Ferme des 7 Lunes - Jean Delobre
Jean Delobre of the Ferme des 7 Lunes is a stubborn man. From the family Winery , who used to send his grapes to the cooperative winery, he gradually turned it into a property in his own image, all dedicated to biodynamics. From 1997, the grapes are in organic farming, and after having launched an "organic" group at the cooperative cellar, in 2001 he leads his biodynamic winemaking in solo. Zero yeasting, yields of 35 hectolitres per hour, daily handling with pumping over and then punching down the cap without extensive extractions. The juice which macerates for about twenty days is not filtered and ferments in open concrete vats. This technique gives the 6 hectares of Syrah, Roussanne and Marsanne an incomparable depth and smoothness.
Petites Caves is very pleased to have developed with Jean an exclusive Saint Joseph cuvée,"Syrah Lovely" for the 2019 vintage. To be tasted for those who are curious, as this is a cuvée sold exclusively on Petites Caves.
>> FIND THE ORGANIC AND NATURAL WINES OF THE FERME DES 7 LUNES HERE
François Dumas
In 2002, François Dumas returned to his native village of Véranne (42), south of Condrieu, in the Pilat region and set up his own business. Before that, he studied with a number of winegrowers, not the least of whom were Trapet (Gevrey - Burgundy), Cuilleron and Jean-Louis Chave (Hermitage). He perfected the practical side but François Dumas understood above all where he wanted to go with his wines!
