Hervé Souhaut

History of the Hervé Souhaut estate 

The story of the Hervé Souhaut estate is one of a passion born from a chance encounter with the world of natural wine. Hervé Souhaut, a biologist by training and a Parisian by origin, had a true revelation when tasting the wines of Marcel Lapierre in Beaujolais and Philippe Pacalet in Burgundy. This experience was the catalyst that led him to embark on his winemaking adventure.

In 1993, Hervé and his wife Béatrice founded the Romaneaux-Destezet estate in Arlebosc, in the Ardèche. The name of the estate is a tribute to the 16th-century fortified farmhouse "les romaneaux", beneath which the estate's cellar is located today. From the very beginning, Hervé chose to follow a natural and environmentally respectful approach, drawing inspiration from organic farming methods without seeking certification.

To perfect his craft, Hervé trained alongside renowned winemakers such as René-Jean Dard and François Ribo, known for their purist approach to winemaking. This training profoundly influenced his viticultural philosophy, encouraging him to produce the most natural wines possible in order to best express the potential of his Ardèche terroir.

Over the years, the estate has gradually expanded, growing from a few plots inherited from Béatrice's family to a 5-hectare vineyard. Hervé also developed a grape-buying activity, allowing him to reach an annual production of approximately 25,000 bottles.

In 2015, Hervé launched a new project, Les Marécos, in collaboration with his neighbour Michel Savel. The latter decided to replant some of his hillside slopes with vines, entrusting Hervé with the management of the vines and the winemaking. This initiative allowed the range of wines offered by the estate to be expanded, while remaining true to Hervé's philosophy.

Terroirs and vines of the Hervé Souhaut estate 

The Hervé Souhaut estate benefits from an exceptional terroir, situated on the right bank of the Rhône, facing the famous Hermitage hill. This privileged location offers an ideal south-south-east exposure and enjoys the warm climate of the Doux delta, creating optimal conditions for vine growing.

The geological bedrock of the estate is primarily composed of granite, a crystalline soil inherited from the Hercynian era. This granitic composition imparts a fine acidity and a pronounced minerality to the wines, characteristic of the great wines of the region.

The vineyard of the Hervé Souhaut estate is composed of several plots spread across the communes of Arlebosc, Empurany and Colombier-le-Vieux, in the Vallée du Doux. Each plot brings its own specificity and contributes to the complexity of the wines produced:

The diversity of the plots, combined with the venerable age of some of the vines (up to 100 years for the oldest), allows Hervé Souhaut to create wines of great complexity and remarkable depth.

Winemaking at the Hervé Souhaut estate

The winemaking philosophy of Hervé Souhaut is built on respect for the grape and the authentic expression of the Ardèche terroir. His methods, the fruit of deep reflection, aim to capture the very essence of his vines in each bottle.

The process begins with meticulous manual harvesting, followed by long macerations at low temperature, generally without destemming. Hervé favours whole-cluster fermentation for many cuvées, using the semi-carbonic maceration method. This approach contributes to the production of subtle and refined wines, endowed with an elegant tannic structure.

True to his natural philosophy, Hervé allows fermentation to proceed spontaneously with indigenous yeasts. Ageing takes place on fine lees, often in second-hand oak barrels or stainless steel vats, bringing complexity and texture to the wines.

Bottling is carried out without filtration or fining, thus preserving the integrity of the wines. The use of sulphur is minimal, added only at bottling in an infinitesimal quantity to ensure the wine's stability.

This non-interventionist approach allows Hervé Souhaut to produce wines of great purity, faithfully reflecting their terroir while offering immediate drinkability. Unlike some wines from the Northern Rhône designed for long ageing, Hervé's wines are accessible from their youth, while retaining an excellent ageing potential.

The cuvées of the Hervé Souhaut estate 

The Hervé Souhaut estate offers a varied range of wines, each expressing a unique facet of the Ardèche terroir:

La Souteronne: This emblematic cuvée is produced from old Gamay vines. The wine offers a seductive aromatic profile blending red fruits, spices and minerality. Its silky texture and freshness make it a highly drinkable wine.

Sainte Epine: Sourced from century-old Syrah vines, this wine is a true expression of the schist terroir. It presents complex aromas of spices, black fruits and violet, supported by an elegant tannic structure.

Saint Joseph: This prestigious appellation gives birth to a refined and deep Syrah wine. The notes of black fruits, violet and smoked bacon are characteristic of this great ageing wine.

Syrah: A more accessible expression of Syrah, offering aromas of black fruits, violet and spices, with a beautiful freshness on the palate.

Viognier/Roussanne: A harmonious blend of these two emblematic white grape varieties of the Rhône Valley. The wine presents floral aromas and white fruit, supported by a fine minerality.

Cessieux: A new Saint-Joseph cuvée, sourced from vines recently acquired by Hervé. This wine combines power and finesse, with notes of red fruits and spices.

Les Marécos Blanc: A white wine from the Les Marécos project, blending Marsanne and Roussanne. It offers a beautiful expression of Rhône white grape varieties, with floral and fruity notes.

Les Marécos Rouge: The red expression of the Les Marécos project, blending Merlot and Syrah. A fruity and spicy wine, reflecting Hervé's expertise applied to young vines.

Le Petit Merle Ardéchois: A 100% Merlot cuvée, rare in the region, which brings a touch of originality to the range. This wine offers aromas of red fruits and a beautiful freshness.

The Hervé Souhaut estate produces quality wines year after year. Here is a selection of remarkable vintages to discover: 2018, 2019, and 2020. Each of these vintages offers a unique expression of the Ardèche terroir and of Hervé Souhaut's style, reflecting the specific climatic conditions of the year and the constant evolution of the estate.

For enthusiasts wishing to deepen their discovery of wines from the Ardèche and the Northern Rhône Valley, here are some estates to explore: Thierry Allemand, Pierre Gonon, Alain Voge, Yves Cuilleron and Jean Louis Chave.

The Hervé Souhaut estate has established itself as an essential reference in the world of natural wines. Through its respectful approach to the terroir, its meticulous winemaking methods and its range of expressive wines, Hervé Souhaut has created a unique identity, capturing the very essence of Northern Ardèche in each of his bottles. Whether you are a seasoned enthusiast or a curious newcomer, the wines of the Hervé Souhaut estate offer an unforgettable tasting experience, a true invitation to explore the richness and diversity of the Ardèche terroirs.