Story
Hervé Souhaut
Ardèche · Rhône · France
Hervé Souhaut established Domaine Romaneaux-Destezet in 1993. He cultivates 5 hectares of old and ancient vines, ranging from 50 to 100 years in age. Hervé is fortunate to own two vineyards in the Rhône Valley, directly opposite the legendary Hermitage hills in Saint Joseph. This region is recognized as one of the best wine-producing areas globally, thanks to its elevation, ancient vineyard sites, and southeastern and southern exposures.
“The domaine itself is nestled further into the Northern Ardèche hills in the tiny town of Arlebosc, about a 30-minute drive through winding hills from Saint Joseph.”
Hervé employs whole grape bunches and semi-carbonic maceration in his winemaking process. His philosophy centres on extracting a delicate balance of tannins to craft wines with subtlety and finesse. This approach contrasts with many of the traditional Northern Rhône wines, which often undergo heavy tannin extraction, making them almost undrinkable in their youth, requiring years to soften and develop. Hervé, on the other hand, prefers to create wines that are immediately enjoyable, yet his wines also have an extraordinary level of purity and acidity, allowing them to evolve gracefully over time.
