Jean-François began planting in 2011 on slopes that had once been family vineyards, while still running a wine bar-restaurant in Tournon. From 2011 to 2017, he had to juggle two jobs: early mornings in the vineyard and from noon onwards in the restaurant. In 2017, by reclaiming fallow plots that had belonged to his grandfather, he symbolically completed the bridge between generations.
Today, there are 7 hectares under cultivation, 3.5 hectares in Vin de France because they are vineyards outside the altitude limit of the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) and 3.5 hectares in St-Joseph, with one-third white grape varieties and two-thirds red grapes.
We are in the north of southern St-Joseph, the historic cradle of the appellation, which includes five villages: Mauves, Tournon, St Jean de Muzols, Lemps and Vion. The vineyards and cellar are located on the Sécheras plateau. One third of the vines are old and two thirds are less than 30 years old. In addition to the vineyards facing the Iserand, a tributary of the Rhône, they also cultivate two plots directly facing the Rhône itself. For a long time, in this northernmost part of the historic heart of Saint-Joseph, there were few winegrowers-bottlers, and the grapes were mainly delivered to the Tain l’Hermitage cooperative.
The Chasselas and Gamay and, in general, the Vin de France are aged for 6 months, while the St-Joseph are aged for 18 months.
Inspired by the work of the Gonon brothers – in their dedication to cultivating the slopes and preserving the traditional landscape – as well as by François Tardy, for the sapid fluidity of Crozes-Hermitage wines, the arrival of Saïda & Jeff brings a breath of dynamism and enthusiasm. Their project reveals an unprecedented terroir, a unique focus on whites with the openness and creativity of those who bring with them the richness of gastronomic experience.
