Domaine Les Bruyeres is located in the rolling foothills of the Alps in the southeast region of the appellation Crozes Hermitage.  The Vines are oriented toward the east for maximum morning sun exposure, in this region the majority of the extreme sun comes in the mornings.  The soil is made up of clay and limestone mixed with large gravel deposited by the Esére River.  These rich mineral deposits along with the apricot and cherry trees growing with them, help the 50 year old Syrah vines to express themselves in the true fashion of Crozes Hermitage.

David Reynaud, a fourth generation wine maker took control of the vineyard in 2000, after earning his degree in Viticulture and Oenology.  David made sweeping changes and converted the farm to organic and has been certified by ECOCERT since 2005, and recently converted the farm to biodynamic.  When asked, why did you convert?  David responded, “It was a natural choice and no other choice exists.”  Modest and calculating, his personality corresponds to this choice.  Having 35 acres of Syrah Vines, with 20 to 50 years of age, allows David to be very selective during harvest, hand picking only the finest grape clusters.  Another example of David returning to the old ways.

In 2003, David constructed a new cellar on a hill.  He did this to utilize gravity, instead of electric pumps, to move the grapes through the wine making process.  Many believe that electric pumps extremely agitate the wine, dramatically affecting its texture. Domaine Les Bruyeres is a fine example of a farm working with the natural energies of the cosmos.  There have been numerous accolades tossed in their direction by the French Media.  A taste to be appreciated.