A trip along the Rhône, how does that sound?
We suggest you travel the length of this great river, on the French side, from south of Lyon to north of Avignon, or in wine terms, from Crozes-Hermitage to Châteauneuf-du-Pape!
It's a 2-hour drive for 180 km, but plan a long weekend, or a little more. We've put together a programme to suit all tastes! Read it with a glass in hand to prepare your trip: there's plenty to choose from with these five superb estates!
Domaine Richard
The estate started in 1989, when Hervé Richard inherited it and placed the emphasis on the vines. The 10 hectares are located mainly in Saint-Joseph, as well as Condrieu, with a plot in Côte-Rôtie, in particular. The family dimension of the estate allows Hervé and his wife Marité to control every aspect, from the vineyard to the bottle. Step by step, the field is now moving towards organic.
Michelas St. Jemms
Founded in 1961 in Mercurol, the Michelas St. Jemms estate is today run by the second generation, made up of four brothers and sisters. The siblings have breathed new life into the cellar and the vineyard. After years of promoting biodiversity, the entire vineyard, in prestigious appellations in the northern Rhône valley, is certified in organic farming.
Château d’Aigueville
In the Southern Rhône Valley, the vines of Château d'Aigueville are cultivated within a harmonious ecosystem of rich biodiversity. The setting is ideal, as is the climate. The vines also benefit from an underground spring, located in the heart of the property. This large single estate, certified organic, is the leading producer in the Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Massif d'Uchaux appellation.
Pierre Amadieu
Pierre Amadieu was a pioneer in 1929 when he marketed his Gigondas wines. The years passed and the estate grew, becoming the largest private vineyard in the appellation. Many family members take care of their heritage, now certified organic. In Gigondas, the house's precious high-altitude vines produce remarkably balanced wines.
Domaine du père Caboche
The estate was born at the end of the 18th century, when Jean Louis Boisson married Élisabeth Chambellan, who owned vines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The Boisson family, also working as farriers, are nicknamed “caboche”, a Provençal term for the nails fixing the shoes under the hooves. This history survives in the name of the estate, just like the cultivation of vines, a family affair!