Hervé Souhaut

History of the domaine Hervé Souhaut 

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

In 1993, Hervé and his wife Béatrice established Domaine Romaneaux-Destezet in Arlebosc, Ardèche. The estate's name pays homage to the 16th-century fortified farm "les romaneaux", beneath which the estate's cellar is now located. From the outset, Hervé chose to follow a natural and environmentally respectful approach, drawing inspiration from organic farming methods without seeking certification.

To perfect his craft, Hervé apprenticed with 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 to best express the potential of his Ardèche terroir.

Over the years, the estate gradually expanded 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 about 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 hillsides with vines, entrusting Hervé with vineyard management and winemaking. This initiative allowed for an expansion of the estate's wine range whilst remaining true to Hervé's philosophy.

Terroirs and Vines of domaine Hervé Souhaut 

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 ideal south-southeast exposure and enjoys the warm climate of the Doux delta, creating optimal conditions for vine cultivation.

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

The Hervé Souhaut estate vineyard comprises several plots spread across the communes of Arlebosc, Empurany and Colombier le Vieux in the Doux Valley. Each plot brings its specificity and contributes to the complexity of the wines produced.

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

Vinification at domaine Hervé Souhaut 

Hervé Souhaut's winemaking philosophy is based on respect for the grape and 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, low-temperature macerations, generally without destemming. Hervé favours whole-bunch fermentation for many cuvées, using the semi-carbonic maceration method. This approach contributes to the production of subtle and fine wines with an elegant tannin structure.

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

Bottling is done without filtration or fining, thus preserving the wines' integrity. Sulphur use is minimal, added only at bottling in tiny quantities to ensure the wine's stability.

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

The Cuvées of domaine Hervé Souhaut 

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 made from old Gamay vines. The wine offers an alluring aromatic profile blending red fruits, spices and minerality. Its silky texture and freshness make it a highly drinkable wine.

Sainte Epine: Made 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 racy and deep Syrah wine. Notes of black fruits, violet and smoked bacon are characteristic of this great wine for ageing.

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

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

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

Les Marécos White: 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 Red: 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 red fruit aromas and a lovely 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 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 Ardèche and Northern Rhône Valley wines, here are some estates to explore: Thierry Allemand, Pierre Gonon, Alain Voge, Yves Cuilleron and Jean Louis Chave.

The Hervé Souhaut estate stands as an essential reference in the world of natural wines. Thanks to his respectful approach to terroir, meticulous winemaking methods and 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 novice, the wines of the Hervé Souhaut estate offer an unforgettable tasting experience, a true invitation to explore the richness and diversity of Ardèche terroirs.