La Ferme des 7 LUNES

Jean Delobre, of the Ferme des 7 Lunes, is a stubborn man. From the family's Winery , which used to send its grapes to the cooperative cellar, he has gradually turned it into a property in his own image, entirely dedicated to biodynamic farming.

Since 1997, the grapes are organically grown, and after having launched an "organic" group at the cooperative cellar, he carries out his biodynamic vinifications alone in 2001. Zero yeast, yields of 35hl/h, daily handling with pumping over and punching down without extensive extractions. The juices, which macerate for about twenty days, are not filtered and ferment in open concrete vats. This technique gives the 6 hectares of Syrah, Roussanne and Marsanne an incomparable depth and softness.

The Ferme des 7 Lunes is a Winery which has gradually refocused on vineyards and then wine. Initially, in the heights of the Ardèche between Vienne and Valence, this farm was intended to be a mixed farming operation. Jean's grandparents worked cereals, orchards, herds and vines. The wine was then a table wine for everyday consumption. In the 1960s, the parents chose the cooperative cellar and the wines with appellations. The culture of wine changed and it is in this context that Jean Delobre in 1984 continued the work of a farmer-viticulturist.

Organic wines from the Ferme des 7 Lunes

In 1997, he created and joined a group of winemaker "bio" at the cooperative cellar. At first 1 hectare, then the whole farm was converted to organic farming and biodynamic viticulture. The trigger, the desire to go further to "make" his wine, came in 2001.

It was a gradual process, with a few vines at the beginning and a brief layout in the old cellars, then more vines. With the 2002 vintage, the cow herd was sold and the barn and garage were transformed into a cellar and vat room.

Natural wine making

The Winery of the Ferme des 7 lunes, produces several red wines made exclusively from Syrah. The grapes are harvested by hand. The grapes are picked healthy and fully ripe. The wine is vinified in concrete tanks without yeast or enzymes and slightly sulphited when necessary. Jean Delobre does not seek extraction. Vatting lasts 10 to 20 days with maturation in barrels for the Saint Joseph and vats for the Vin de Pays (Syrah from the Ardèche) and the Vin de Table ("Glou"). The latter is in carbonic maceration to keep lightness and fruitiness without sulphur and the presence of gas. There are two cuvées of red Saint Joseph, one with a 12 month ageing in barrels stabilised slightly in sulphites and the other on old vines for 18 months in barrels without added sulphite. There is also a white Saint Joseph made from roussanne and marsanne.
Jean Delobre is a discreet man, who doesn't show himself much, doesn't talk much. It is not easy to get information. He stays away from the city and its lights. winemaker He is a farmer, and he remains one by culture. "To become a little more winemaker, I will have to be a little less of a peasant.

Discover also our exclusive cuvée in collaboration with the Ferme des 7 Lunes : Syrah Lovely!