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A PRESTIGIOUS ANCIENT VINEYARD RESCUED FROM OBLIVION

The Roman invasion in the 2nd century BC marked the beginning of the wine trade and viticulture in Gaul, contributing to the world history of wine. At this time, vine cultivation spread around Nîmes, Marseille, the Hérault valley and the Agde region. The formation of Roman colonies, notably in Narbonne, led to the creation of a large vineyard in Narbonne Gaul. During this period, vineyards were associated with enrichment. In addition, wine was used in antiquity as currency in exchange for slaves or foodstuffs.

Before the 1st century BC, Narbonne was the only wine-producing region in Gaul. It should be noted that this Roman province corresponds to the regions of Languedoc, Toulouse, the Rhone Valley, Provence and Dauphiné. The Gauls only had access to the wines that were produced and to those from other countries such as Greece, Italy and the Aegean countries. It was during the first century BC that the cultivation of the vine spread northwards thanks to the hegemony of Rome. At that time, wine was transported and exported to the interior of Gaul by river in amphoras, via the Toulouse route (Aquitaine Basin, Tarn-et-Garonne) and the Rhone route (the Rhône). Towards the end of the Roman Republic and in the course of the High Empire, under the reign of Augustus, new trading conditions were established. This was the case, for example, with the new containers used to transport wine, such as wooden barrels.

The origins of the Vitis Vienna vineyards go back to those that developed during the Roman Empire. At that time, Vienna was the capital of the Allobroges. The Allobroges had developed a new grape variety, Vitis allobrogica, which could withstand the harsh winters. The wines from this vineyard, which were renowned beyond the borders, particularly in Rome, were renowned for their quality. Many ancient authors praised its merits, such as Martial, Celsus, Pliny the Elder and Plutarch. Surviving the fall of the Roman Empire, the vineyard continued to prosper during the Middle Ages thanks to the religious communities established in Vienna.

The causes of the decline

Various factors led to the decline of Gallo-Roman viticulture, such as the monopolisation of land by the richest, the disorganisation of the commercial system and the decline in the population, as well as the decline in consumption in the towns. The vineyards were then transformed into pastures and ploughland. As for the vineyards of Vienna, they were gradually abandoned during the 20th century in favour of wines from other regions, which were relatively easier to produce. The hillsides were too steep and hard to work. In addition, phylloxera devastated the vineyards. Winegrowers thus turned to much more profitable sectors of activity.

THE PHOENIX RISES FROM ITS ASHES TO ENHANCE THE PRESTIGE OF THE CÔTES-DU-RHÔNE

Towards the end of the 1990s, under the impetus of François Villard, Yves Cuilleron and Pierre Gaillard, passionate winegrowers, the vineyard extending over the communes of Seyssuel, Chasse-sur-Rhône and Vienne was reborn. Aware of its exceptional potential, they decided to move from the vineyards of the right bank to the hillsides of the left bank to launch the revival of a sleepy terroir at the gateway to the Côtes-du-Rhône. These winegrowers formed an association called "Vitis Vienna", in homage to the pioneers of this vineyard. They plant the grape varieties native to the region, namely Syrah and Viognier. Located in the northernmost part of the Rhône appellations, this terroir has a unique light schist soil and a good exposure to the sunset. In addition, the Rhône valley is relatively narrow in this area, ensuring optimal aeration of the vines. All the characteristics of this terroir give the wine a strong character and an incomparable freshness.

The Seyssuel vineyard

Located a few kilometres north of Vienne, the vineyard of Seyssuel stretches along the left bank of the Rhône river. The three winegrowers, who are behind the rebirth of the Vitis Vienna vineyard, have found traces of this forgotten vineyard in old writings. These producers in Saint-Joseph and Côte-Rôtie planted about 11 hectares of vines, in Syrah and Viognier, and created Les Vins de Vienne. Previously marketed as "Vin de pays", the wines from the Seyssuel vineyard have been awarded the IGP Collines Rhodaniennes since 2012. However, the winegrowers of Seyssuel are asking to integrate the Côtes-du-Rhône appellation. They wish to validate the classification of their wines by a classification in Côtes-du-Rhône Seyssuel.

The Vienne vineyard

The Vienne Condrieu territory includes the wine appellations of Côte-Rôtie for red wine and Condrieu for white wine, stretching along the right bank of the Rhône river. The vineyard of Vitis Vienna is located opposite these prestigious hillsides, on the left bank. The vines grow on steep hillsides that mark the landscape of this part of the Rhône Valley.

The Chasse-sur-Rhône vineyard

The vineyard of Chasse-sur-Rhône is one of the operating areas of the Vitis Vienna association. In 2003, Michel Chapoutier and Paul Lucidi, winegrower members of the association, had the idea of replanting vines on these lands. The last foothills of these Rhône Valley hills are made up of a soil of micaschists and quartz crystals, similar to that of the right bank. These winemakers replant Syrah and Viognier vines on a few hectares. The vineyard is cultivated according to the principles of integrated farming with a reduced use of chemical treatments.

Credit: M. CHAPOUTIER

ESTATES PARTICIPATING IN THE RENEWAL OF THE VINEYARD

If the Vitis Vienna vineyard was able to rise from its ashes, it is thanks to the hard work and passion of the winemakers who realised the potential of this terroir. In addition to François Villard, Yves Cuilleron and Pierre Gaillard, other producers quickly joined the association to participate in the rebirth of this vineyard. Since then, no less than 18 estates produce wine on the Vitis Vienna vineyard, including:

Yves Cuilleron, who participated in the revival of the Seyssuel vineyard.
Pierre Gaillard, producing the Vins de Vienne, but also its own cuvée on the hillsides of Seyssuel.
François Villard, having also contributed to reviving the vineyards of Seyssuel and producing its own wine on these hillsides.
Stéphane Ogier, installed on the steep terroir of Seyssuel.
Michel Chapoutier et Paul Lucidi, in the heart of Collines Rhodaniennes, in Chasse-sur-Rhône.
Hervé Avallet, installed on the slopes of Seyssuel.
Christophe Billon, operating a parcel of Syrah in the town of Vienne.
Christophe Pichon, who decided to cross the Rhône river and join Vitis Vienna in 2015 to produce in the vineyard of Seyssuel.
Maison A. Paret, run by Alain, his son Anthony and Laurent Dumont, and participating in the rebirth of the Seyssuel vineyard.
Eymin – Tichoux, having planted the first vines on the Seyssuel vineyard in 2015.
Julien Pilon, producer of red and white wines in the Seyssuel area.
Les Sérines d’Or, domaine developed by Jérôme Ogier and Damien Robelet in the town of Seyssuel.
Les Vignobles de Seyssuel, bringing together four talented winegrowers: Louis Chèze, Georges Treynard, Laurent and Pascal Marthouret.
Pierre-Jean Villa, joining the Vins de Vienne trio in 2003 and then creating his own estate on the Seyssuel vineyard.
Domaine Garon, established in the heart of the Côte-Rôtie vineyard before producing wines in Seyssuel.