Hermitage

Hermitage is one of France's greatest wines. Its vineyards date back to the 4th century BC. Hermitage wine was served at the table of kings, notably Louis XIII. It is said that the Chevalier de Sterimberg, tired of fighting the Albigensians, repented by devoting himself to prayer and the cultivation of vines around a hermitage at the top of the Tain hill. L'Hermitage was awarded the local AOC in 1937.

It covers 3 communes in the Drôme: Tain-l'Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Larnage on the left bank of the Rhône. The soils of the Hermitage vineyards are composed of granitic arena overlaid with micaschist and gneiss, as well as areas of round alluvial pebbles (a diversity which explains the presence of a number of lieux-dits in the appellation: Bessards, Greffieux, Méal, Rocoule, Beaumes etc.). Sheltered from the north wind, most of the slopes face south, benefiting from excellent sunshine.

Some 134 hectares of vines are currently in production, producing an annual volume of around 4,300 hectolitres. Hermitage wines are made from Syrah for the reds, with the authorized addition of 15% Marsanne and Roussanne, and from Roussanne and Marsanne for the whites. The appellation's qualities are excellently showcased by houses such as M. Chapoutier, Delas frères, domaines E. Guigal, Jean-Louis Chave and Tardieu Laurent, as well as Ferraton Père et Fils.