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La Vigne des Pères
Aymeric Paillard Vineyard
The Vine
A terroir, a vision
TERROIRS OF SAINT JOSEPH
Place called “Buffet” in the town of Sarras
Altitude: 250 to 300 m, average slope of 34%.
Orientation: South, Southeast.
There are three distinct terroirs in this area. The first two are the plateau at 300 meters altitude and the hillside below, which descends at an average gradient of 34% to 250 meters. The plateau is exposed to strong winds, while the south-facing hillside is sheltered from the winds as it slopes down towards the hollow of the valley perpendicular to the Rhône. Dark gneiss, anatatexite, and migmatitic rocks are found on a base of granite.
These are thin (<75cm) sandy soils (medium sands, often micaceous) to sandy-clay, and at depth, sandy-silty-clay overlying dark, often highly weathered gneiss/mica schist saprolite. In the lower, western part, where the plot gradually turns towards the river, there is an enclave in the middle of the forest. This is the third terroir of the lieu-dit. Loess is found on soils derived from ancient surface formations.
These are deep (150-200cm) limestone soils, not stony, ranging from fine sandy loam to sandy loam with a continuous structure but finely porous at depth, brownish-yellow over pale yellow. The wines produced here are more supple but also more taut.
The locality known as "Châtaigners" in the commune of Ozon
Light gneiss / anatatexites / migmatites on a base of granitic rocks.
These are thin (<75cm), light grey, acidic sandy-gravelly soils on altered light gneiss/migmatite.
Altitude: from 135 to 188 m, average slope of 42%.
Orientation: East.
The locality known as "Grand Pont" is located in the commune of Saint-Jean de Muzols.
Light gneiss / anatatexites / migmatites on a base of granitic rocks.
These are sandy soils (medium sands often micaceous) of varying depth (50-90cm) to sandy-clay, sandy-silty-clay at depth on saprolite of dark gneiss/micaschist often very altered.
Altitude of 180 to 250 m, average slope of 35%.
Orientation: South
CROZES-HERMITAGE TERROIR
The locality known as "Les chassis" in the commune of Mercurol
Ancient alluvial terraces on ancient surface formations. These are fairly deep (100-150cm) pebble soils, weakly evolved, decarbonated to 60-90cm, surface horizon brown to reddish-brown, sandy-silty, sometimes a little clayey, middle horizon distinctly red and sandy-clayey, 30-60% pebbles on the surface, 50-70% in the red horizon, of all kinds: quartzites, granites and limestones.
Altitude of 143m, flat.
TERROIR DE CORNAS
The locality known as "Les prés" in the commune of Cornas
Light-colored granites with large crystals, altered on saprolite for 50 to 150 cm on a base of granitic rocks.
These are thin (<75cm), light grey, acidic sandy-gravelly soils on weathered granite.
Altitude: from 410 to 420 m.
Orientation: flat, slight slope towards the East and the Rhône.
It is in the heart of the Ardèche, on the hills above Lemps, that Aymeric Paillard has chosen to write his story. His estate, La Vigne des Pères, stretches across just over five hectares of hillsides and granite plateaus, bathed in sunlight and swept by the north wind. Here, the steep slopes create rugged and luminous landscapes, where Syrah finds a rare expression, balancing power and freshness.
The plots are spread across Saint-Joseph and Cornas, two legendary appellations of the Northern Rhône. On the granite slopes, the vines plunge their deep roots into a lean soil rich in quartz and gneiss. Lower down, on the plateaus, the sands and silts offer a more supple balance, giving the wine its characteristic roundness.
Aymeric's work is rooted in a biological and holistic approach. Here, there are no chemicals, but constant observation of the soil and plants. The plots are grassed, and treatments are limited to low doses of sulfur and copper, often accompanied by local plants that he prepares himself according to the season. Plowing is done by hand or with a horse to preserve the fragile structure of the soil.
Each vineyard is tended like a garden. Old vines—ancient selections of Syrah—grow alongside young plantings that Aymeric patiently shapes, year after year. The harvest is done entirely by hand, with respect for the grapes and the rhythm of the land.
Yields are low, but that's the price of a demanding approach: allowing the terroir to express itself freely. In these hills where granite outcrops, the wine takes root in the stone, in the light, and in the winemaking process.
“Each plot has its own voice. My role is to listen to it, not to direct it.” — Aymeric Paillard
