La Ferme des 7 Lunes

History of La Ferme des 7 Lunes

The history of La Ferme des Sept Lunes is one of family transmission and progressive evolution toward wine excellence. Founded several generations ago in the perched village of Bogy, this Ardèche estate was initially a polyculture farm typical of the heights of the Rhône Valley. Jean Delobre's grandparents cultivated cereals, apricot trees, grasslands for livestock and a small hectare of vines, whose grapes were used to produce a simple table wine, intended for daily consumption. In the 1960s, Jean's parents chose a new path by entrusting their grapes to the local cooperative cellar, thus marking a first step toward the production of appellation wines.

It was in 1984 that Jean Delobre, representing the third generation, took over the reins of the property. At that time, he saw himself as much a farmer as a winemaker, a balance he still cherishes today. But a decisive turning point emerged in 1997: sensitized to organic agriculture during his years at agricultural college, Jean initiated the conversion of a first hectare to organic within the cooperative, where he created a group of winegrowers sharing this vision. Quickly, the entire estate followed this path, also adopting the principles of biodynamics for the vines. This approach, still pioneering at the time, reflects his desire to respect the land and let his terroir fully express itself.

In 2001, Jean Delobre took a new step by leaving the cooperative cellar to vinify his own cuvées. The old stables, once occupied by cows, were transformed into a winery, and the 2002 vintage marked the official birth of La Ferme des Sept Lunes as an independent wine estate. Since then, the property has continued to evolve, growing from one hectare to about ten hectares of vines, while maintaining supplementary agricultural activities such as apricot and cereal cultivation. In 2017, Jean partnered with Jacques Maurice, a friend and neighboring biodynamic farmer, thereby strengthening the estate's dynamic. Together, they now produce approximately 50,000 bottles per year, half of which are AOC Saint-Joseph, available for purchase by enthusiasts of exceptional organic wines.

Terroirs and Vineyards of La Ferme des 7 Lunes

The terroir of La Ferme des Sept Lunes is a true jewel of the Northern Rhône, nestled on the granitic plateaus of the Saint-Joseph appellation, at approximately 350 meters altitude. Situated between Bogy and neighboring communes, the vineyard extends over about ten hectares, of which 6 hectares are dedicated to Syrah – the king grape of Saint-Joseph reds – and the rest to emblematic white grape varieties: Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier, with a touch of Gamay. These vines, often trained on échalas (individual stakes), flourish on decomposed granite soils, typical of this part of Ardèche, offering unique minerality and freshness to the wines.

Landscape diversity is at the heart of Jean Delobre's philosophy. The estate remains faithful to its polyculture origins: alongside the vines, there are still 7 hectares of cereals, 10 hectares of natural grasslands and 1.5 hectares of apricot trees, whose fruits are transformed into flavorful nectar. This biodiversity is not simply a legacy, but a firm commitment. Jean has recently planted hedges of varied shrubs and lets wild grasses and flowers grow between the rows to enrich the soils, encourage pollinators and limit erosion. As he says himself, "a vineyard is a large garden," and he cultivates it with care, sometimes using a horse to work the steep soils.

The parcels, some of which date from the 1970s and come from massal selections, are exposed to varied microclimates. Some terraces, facing due south above Saint-Désirat, maximize grape ripeness, while others, more sheltered or surrounded by groves, provide distinctive freshness. This mosaic of terroirs, combined with certified organic viticulture since 1997 and biodynamic practices, allows La Ferme des 7 Lunes to produce wines that breathe their origin, available for purchase by enthusiasts of organic and natural Saint-Joseph.

Winemaking at La Ferme des 7 Lunes

At La Ferme des Sept Lunes, winemaking is a minimalist art, guided by respect for the fruit and terroir. Jean Delobre favors a natural approach, without chemical inputs, with interventions reduced to the strict minimum. The harvest, carried out by hand, guarantees rigorous selection of grapes, picked at full maturity to preserve their aromatic potential. Once in the cellar, each parcel is vinified separately to capture the nuances of each terroir, before being blended or not depending on the cuvées.

For the reds, dominated by Syrah, vinifications take place in open concrete vats, favoring spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Macerations generally last 10 to 20 days, with gentle pumping over and punching down to avoid excessive extraction. Entry-level cuvées, such as the Vin de Pays Syrah d'Ardèche or the "glou" in carbonic maceration, remain in vats to preserve their fruitiness and lightness, while the Saint-Joseph reds benefit from aging in barrels or demi-muids of 12 to 18 months, depending on the parcels. The whites, from Roussanne, Marsanne and Viognier, are pressed directly and ferment in stainless steel vats, neutral barrels or even qvevris (amphorae), followed by aging that highlights their roundness and freshness.

Sulfur, when used, is used sparingly, often barely after malolactic fermentation or at bottling, and sometimes completely absent, as with certain Saint-Joseph red cuvées. The wines are neither fined nor filtered, thus preserving their authenticity and a slight presence of natural gas, the signature of winemaking without artifice. This approach produces wines of remarkable suppleness, marked by vibrant freshness, which distinguishes them in the Saint-Joseph appellation and appeals to enthusiasts of natural wines from the Northern Rhône.

The Cuvées of La Ferme des 7 Lunes

La Ferme des Sept Lunes offers a range of cuvées that reflect the richness of its terroir and Jean Delobre's mastery. Here is an overview of the wines, all from organic and biodynamic viticulture.

Saint-Joseph "De Deux Choses Lune" (White)

This Saint-Joseph white, a balanced blend of Roussanne and Marsanne, comes from vines grown on granite. Pressed directly, it ferments and ages in neutral barrels and demi-muids, with light sulfiting after malolactic fermentation. Its fruity aromas, roundness and freshness make it an elegant white, perfect with fish or mild cheeses.

Saint-Joseph "Premier Quartier" (Red)

From Syrah grown on granitic terraces, this cuvée seduces with its vivacity and silky texture. Destemmed and vinified in concrete vats for three weeks, it is aged 12 months in barrels. On the nose, violet, sweet spices and white pepper; on the palate, vibrant fruit (blackberry, blackcurrant). Decant to release its potential.

Saint-Joseph "Pleine Lune" (Red)

A powerful and refined red, born from Syrah planted on south-facing terraces above Saint-Désirat. With low yields (23 hl/ha), this concentrated wine ferments in concrete vats then rests for a year in demi-muids and foudres, with no added sulfur. Black fruits, licorice and minerality make it an ideal companion for roasted meats.

Saint-Joseph "Chemin Faisant" (Red)

From the oldest Syrah vines (1974), this cuvée offers rare intensity (20 hl/ha). Destemmed, vinified for three weeks in concrete and aged in demi-muids and barrels, it reveals melted tannins, notes of blackcurrant and an elegant finish. Without sulfur, it benefits from decanting.

Saint-Joseph "Halo Sur Le Baudet" (Red)

This cuvée remains in line with the estate's biodynamic reds, with a fruity and fresh Syrah, naturally vinified for immediate pleasure or moderate aging.

Syrah Vin de France

An explosive Syrah in whole cluster maceration, aged on fine lees for a year, without filtration and with less than 25 mg/l of SO2. Black cherry, blackberry and flowers on the nose, it offers gourmet freshness, ideal for aperitifs or light dishes.

Each bottle embodies the signature of La Ferme des 7 Lunes: preserved fruit, freshness and authenticity, to discover now at the best price.

If you are captivated by the wines of La Ferme des 7 Lunes, the Northern Rhône Valley, and particularly the Saint-Joseph appellation, is full of other exceptional estates to explore. Among them, discover the renowned cuvées of Alain Graillot, Alain Voge, Georges Vernay, Vincent Paris or Jean Louis Chave, who sublimate the terroir with finesse. The wines of Bernard Gripa, Christophe Curtat, Gérin, and Martine et Christian Rouchier offer unique expressions of Syrah and local white grape varieties. Don't miss Pierre Gonon, an essential reference, as well as Stéphane Montez and Yves Cuilleron, whose creations captivate enthusiasts of organic and traditional Saint-Joseph. An invitation to delve deeper into this fascinating wine region!

La Ferme des 7 Lunes is much more than a wine estate: it is an ode to the land, biodiversity and revisited tradition. From its peasant origins to its shift toward organic and biodynamic wines, Jean Delobre has crafted a unique place where vines flourish in harmony with their environment. His red and white Saint-Joseph wines, carried by Syrah, Roussanne and Marsanne, combine freshness, elegance and depth, rivaling the great names of the Northern Rhône like Dard et Ribo or Hervé Souhaut. Between granitic terroir, natural vinifications and ecological commitment, this Ardèche estate is a gem to explore without delay. So, why not taste the magic of the 7 Lunes?