Viognier

High up on the steep slopes of Vallée de l'Ibie in Southern Ardèche, not far from a rediscovered stone-age cave, you will find the vineyards of Jérôme Jouret. His 12ha of land is certified Organic by Ecocert, although the 30-45 year old vines have never known chemicals anyway. Today, Jérôme's practices are more biodynamic in nature. Jérôme grows Alicante, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Ugni Blanc, Viognier and Clairette on limestone and clay soils.

Jean-Michel Stéphan is a different breed of vigneron in Côte-Rôtie. Not only does he distance himself from the use of new oak and high alcohol in his wines, he is also a champion of Sérine, a rare cousin of Syrah which has smaller grapes and looser bunches, producing lower yields and particularly aromatic wine. Jean-Michel farms three distinct plots in Coteaux de Tupin, Coteaux de Bassenon and Condrieu, all on steep slopes. Like a mountain goat, Jean-Michel cares for his vines without the use of chemicals. His yields are super-low, on average 10H/L.