Our vinothèque
at 50 meters underground in the cave of Aven d’Orgnac!
Aven d'Orgnac, one of the most beautiful natural cave of Ardeche, classified "Grand Site de France" is located south of the AOP Côtes du Vivarais vineyard.
With a constant temperature of 12°C, a humidity level between 95% and 100% throughout the year, complete calm and darkness, Aven d'Orgnac proves to be a naturally ideal place for the aging of our finest Ardèche wines.
Since March 2018, 50 meters underground, 10,000 bottles of our most beautiful wines wait patiently for Time to refine their tannins and sublimate their aromas, including Terra Helvorum and Grand Aven cuvées.
The purpose: reveal all the aging potential of our great wines. For this, every 6 months, sommeliers and oenologists meet to open some bottles and appreciate the evolution of each cuvées left dormant.
"We can give free rein to our senses, charmed by the flavor of beverages preserved under ideal conditions and admire this majestic temple carved by time, water and stone.”
Philippe Dry, Vignerons Ardéchois Managing Director.
Terra Helvorum
Terra Helvorum expresses the quintessence of the Syrah grape variety in Ardèche. This "Helvian Land" has been dedicated to the cultivation of vines since the Gallo-Roman era. On the foothills of the volcanic Coiron Mountain, in a corrie protected from the wind and well exposed to the sun, the roots sink deep into a rich basalt soil to extract power and aromatic richness.
Fruit of a rigorous craft throughout the year, the grapes are hand harvested and then vinified so as to preserve all the richness of the tannins. The wines are then aged for 12 months in oak barrels and continue their aging in bottle.
50 meters underground, in the heart of Aven d'Orgnac, the wines slowly continue their evolution; the calm and the oscillation of this natural cathedral offer a privileged place to develop all the potential of this Syrah wine.
"Deep ruby colour with brilliant reflections. A nose with aromas of black and red fruits slightly candied with a dominant of strawberries with pepper.
Magnificent attack on the palate, dense, powerful and rich. An intense finish of liquorice and Zan."
Fabrice Sommier, MOF Sommelier
Grand Aven
Discovered in 1935 by Robert de Joly, the cave of Aven d'Orgnac is a masterpiece of Nature, both in its size and the diversity of its geological formations. From -50 to -121 meters, the underground journey immerses us in a unique atmosphere and offers breathtaking sceneries !
Around, the vineyard of the AOP Côtes du Vivarais spreads up, where the grapes flourish on chalky soils of red and white soils. They draw all their strength and their typicality, offering mineral and warm wines.
After several months underground, this Grand Aven cuvée already has a greater freshness compared to its twin aged on the surface, presage of a beautiful evolution for this blend of Syrah and Grenache Noir.
"The robe is an intense ruby with purple highlights. The nose is powerful with notes of black and red fruits. The mouth is greedy and pulpy with a lot of freshness."
Fabrice Sommier, MOF Sommelier