The vineyard
The Hermitage vineyard
The Hermitage hill rises above Tain and the Rhône. One of the oldest, smallest and most celebrated appellations in France, three hundred metres from the house.
The hill
A granite slope facing south
Hermitage is a granite hill planted in terraces, facing due south above the Rhône. The vines grow on wooden stakes, as they have for centuries. This slope, this soil and this light make the wines' reputation.
Legend has it that a knight returning from the crusades, Gaspard de Stérimberg, withdrew here as a hermit in the 13th century. The Saint-Christophe chapel on the summit belongs to Paul Jaboulet Aîné, whose La Chapelle cuvée bears its name.
The appellation covers little more than a hundred hectares. Syrah for the reds, Marsanne and Roussanne for the whites: powerful, long-lived wines built for the cellar.
The appellations
Four crus within reach
Hermitage
The hill itself, left bank, above Tain. Syrah for reds, Marsanne and Roussanne for whites. Small, prestigious, rare.
Crozes-Hermitage
All around the hill, on the terraces and plateaux of the Drôme. The largest appellation of the northern Rhône, more accessible, often excellent.
Saint-Joseph
Right bank, in the Ardèche, on the slopes of Tournon and northwards. Fine Syrahs and Marsanne-Roussanne whites, on granite.
Cornas and Saint-Péray
Further south, still in the Ardèche. Cornas for its dense, dark Syrah reds; Saint-Péray for its whites, still or sparkling.
On foot
Walking up to the chapel
From the centre of Tain, a waymarked path climbs between the vines to the chapel. An hour there and back, with the Rhône below, Tournon opposite and, on a clear day, the Vercors.
The best time: morning before the heat, or late in the day. Poppies in spring, pickers in autumn.
Closed shoes recommended, the path is stony.
Sleep at the foot of the vines
The house is three hundred metres from the path
A weekend in the vineyard begins and ends on the terrace, facing the river.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage?
Hermitage is the hill itself, above Tain: a tiny appellation on granite, facing due south. Crozes-Hermitage surrounds it on more varied ground and covers a far larger area. Both are based on Syrah for reds and Marsanne and Roussanne for whites, but Hermitage is rarer, more powerful and made for ageing.
Which grape is used for Hermitage wines?
Syrah for the reds, sometimes with a little Marsanne and Roussanne. Marsanne and Roussanne for the whites.
Can you visit the Hermitage vineyard on foot?
Yes. A waymarked path leaves the centre of Tain-l'Hermitage and climbs through the vines to the Saint-Christophe chapel. About an hour there and back.
When is the best time to visit the vineyard?
Spring for the flowering and the poppies, autumn for the harvest and the colours. Summer is hot on the hill, better to go up early in the morning.