Hervé Richard, Saint-Joseph and Condrieu

The Hervé Richard estate is a small, 10-hectare family-run vineyard located in Chavanay. Following in the footsteps of two generations of winegrowers, Hervé Richard has been running his estate since 1989 with a commitment to tradition and the environment. Although little known to the general public, he produces some excellent wines, mainly from the steep slopes of Saint-Joseph and Condrieu.

A vineyard typical of the Rhône region

The vineyards of the Hervé Richard estate consist mainly of hillsides that are largely unmechanised and very difficult to cultivate:

• 4.4 hectares of Saint Joseph Red (Syrah) in Verlieu and Chavanay.
• 1.2 hectares of Saint Joseph Blanc (Marsanne and Roussanne grapes) in Verlieu and Chavanay,
• 3.1 hectares of Condrieu (Viognier grape variety) in St Michel sur Rhône and Chavanay,
• 0.3 hectares of Côte Rôtie (Syrah grapes) in Ampuis,
• 0.5 hectares of Collines Rhodaniennes Blanc PGI (Viognier grape variety) in St Michel sur Rhône
• 1 hectare of Collines Rhodaniennes Red PGI (Syrah grape variety) in St Michel sur Rhône

Respect for the environment

Since they first set up, the techniques used at Domaine Richard have evolved considerably. On the one hand, all their efforts are focused on greater respect for the environment. Achieving Level 3 of the HVE certification validates their work and reinforces their commitment to this approach.

For your information, the criteria for HVE certification are based on the farm’s biodiversity, minimal use of plant protection products, fertiliser management and the conservation of water resources.

Furthermore, they ensure the high quality of their grapes by focusing on green management practices: training, leaf removal, thinning and green harvesting. All of this is aimed at achieving an airy crop and grapes at optimal ripeness. Finally, soil cultivation has become an alternative to chemical weed control. They have reintroduced soil cultivation practices, and the terraces are now ploughed using specialised equipment.

History of the Hervé Richard Estate

In 1989, in Chavanay, in the heart of the Pilat Regional Nature Park, Hervé Richard took over from two generations of winegrowers and fruit growers. Indeed, his grandfather Antoine and his parents, Monique and Martial, practised mixed farming: apples, pears, cherries, plums, asparagus, local wine…

The revival of the Condrieu AOC and the growth of the Saint Joseph AOC enabled him, with the help of his parents, to specialise in these fine wines of the Rhône Valley. He was joined in 1997 by his wife, Marité.

In 1995, they signed up to the Vignerons Indépendants charter, which stands as a guarantee of quality and authenticity. Keen to expand their retail customer base, the Vignerons Indépendants wine fairs provide an excellent opportunity to introduce their wine to people across France.

They work within the constraints of a challenging geographical landscape (hillside vineyards) whilst striving to respect the natural and human environment as much as possible. They were awarded Level 3 of the High Environmental Value certification in 2019.

A few photos of the Hervé Richard estate