Syrah

Fabien is part of a group of friends from Tournon who used to work the land in St Joseph, restoring vines, building trellises, taille and effeuillage for local vignerons. Most of the group are Muslims and don't drink wine. They describe themselves as farmers rather than winemakers. In 2002 they found the famous vineyard of Guillamy, and purchased it between them. The plot was in bad shape, so they set about restoring it. They also purchased a plot in Badel, a Northern slope between Tournon and Mauves on the classic granite of the AOC.

From Bee Keeper to influential vigneron, Eric Pfifferling lives a life as close to nature as any. His work demonstrates energy, life and precise craftsmanship. Eric inherited 4ha of ancient vines from his grandmother in Southern Rhone's Tavel in 1988, later adding 3ha in Lirac. The soils are rich with gallets, identical to those found in neighbouring Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Initially Eric sold off his fruit to the local cooperative in Tavel, before deciding to making his own wine. After many trials, his first proper vintage was 2002. In the cellar, Eric is unique.

Alain Allier makes his wine in a small garage close to the Mouressipe mountains, the very same which used to be a vital lookout for the Romans; they probably even planted the vines. The vineyard covers 9ha in total of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache Noir, Cinsault, Chardonnay and Chasselas on a limestone base with clay and blue marl. Alain only vinifies the fruit from 4 ha himself, offering the rest to the local coop. Alain's philosophy is simple: the more you do in the vineyard to create healthy, balanced fruit, the less you need to do in the winery.

Vigneron extraordinaire Axel Prüfer was born in East Germany, but as a young man he moved to Languedoc to start making wine. Axel met Eric Pfifferling early on which helped set his course for the kind of wine he wanted to make. In 2003 he established Domaine Les Temps de Cerises which refers to an old Parisian song from the Revolution. Axel's vineyards are buzzing with life: insects, herbs, flowers, weeds. Wild boar roam in the nearby forests and Axel uses human hair collected from the local hairdressers to distract them from eating all his grapes. Yields are super low.