Domaine du Tunnel, appellatie Rhône septentrional (Noord)

Wijnboer: Stéphane Robert

HVE 3: High Environmental Value 

In 1994, Stéphane ROBERT created the Domaine du Tunnel. It begins with 2.5 ha of vines on the right bank of the Rhône, in the Ardèche in the Cornas, Saint-Péray and Saint-Joseph appellations. The cellar is in the city center of Saint-Péray.

In 2013, the estate expanded its range with an additional AOC: Condrieu.

In 2014, Stéphane rehabilitated a tunnel in Saint-Péray at a place called “Barras” to set up a wine-making and aging cellar. At the start of the 20th century, this 170m long freestone tunnel was crossed by a steam train linking Valence to Vernoux en Vivarais. ”The cellar overlooks the Rhône valley with a breathtaking view of the Château de Crussol.

To date, the vineyard extends over 11 hectares, in the municipalities of Saint-Péray, Cornas, Glun, Mauves, Tournon sur Rhône and Chavanay.

The cuvées are vinified mainly from old vines on hillsides or terraces, on granite soils.

The grape varieties are Syrah (Cornas and Saint-Joseph), Marsanne and Roussanne (Saint-Péray) and Viognier (Condrieu)

Starting with the 2018 vintage, the estate announces it just obtained the highest level of High Environmental Value (HVE 3) certification.