Hermitage

Hermitage is one of France's greatest wines. Its vineyards date back to the 4th century B.C. Hermitage wine was served at the tables of kings, notably that of Louis XIII. It is said that the Chevalier de Sterimberg, weary of fighting the Albigensians, repented by devoting himself to prayer and viticulture around a hermitage atop the hill of Tain.Hermitage was officially recognized by the local AOC in 1937.

It spans three communes in the Drôme department: Tain-l’Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, and Larnage, on the left bank of the Rhône. The soils of the Hermitage vineyard consist of granitic sand covered with mica schist and gneiss, as well as patches of rounded alluvial pebbles (a diversity that explains the presence of specific vineyard sites within the appellation: Bessards, Greffieux, Méal, Rocoule, Beaumes, etc.). Sheltered from the north wind, most of the slopes face south, thus benefiting from excellent sun exposure.

Approximately 134 hectares of vineyards are currently in production, yielding an annual volume of nearly 4,300 hectoliters of wine. Hermitage red wines are made from Syrah, with an authorized blend of up to 15% Marsanne and Roussanne, while the white wines are made from Roussanne and Marsanne. The appellation’s qualities are superbly showcased by producers such as M. Chapoutier, Delas Frères, the E. Guigal, Jean-Louis Chave, and Tardieu Laurent estates, as well as Ferraton Père et Fils.