One of the Rhone's oldest negociants, producers of the iconic Hermitage La Chapelle Syrah from the hill's granite flanks in Tain.
Tasting: La Cave by appointment; wine shop open in Tain-l'Hermitage
Signature wines: jaboulet-hermitage-la-chapelle
Tip: La Chapelle from top vintages (1961, 1990, 2010) is among the most age-worthy wines in France.
Organic and biodynamic-practicing Crozes-Hermitage estate with the Clos des Grives single-vineyard Syrah as its standout red.
Tasting: Tasting room open weekdays; Saturday by appointment
Signature wines: combier-crozes-clos-des-grives
Tip: Among the most reliable value-for-quality bottlings in the Northern Rhone; biodynamic farming at accessible prices.
Alain Graillot elevated the Crozes-Hermitage appellation's reputation for serious Syrah beginning in 1985; La Guiraude is the old-vine prestige cuvee.
Tasting: Visits by appointment at the domaine
Signature wines: graillot-crozes-hermitage-rouge, graillot-crozes-hermitage-la-guiraude
Tip: The straightforward Crozes rouge is one of the best value reds in the Northern Rhone.
Larnage Crozes-Hermitage estate with parcels on the Hermitage hill, known for purity of fruit and mineral expression.
Tasting: By appointment at the domaine in Larnage
Signature wines: belle-crozes-hermitage-les-pierrelles, belle-crozes-hermitage-cuvee-louis-belle
Maxime Graillot's own domaine in Mercurol. Old-vine Crozes-Hermitage parcels farmed organically with a site-specific focus.
Tasting: By appointment at the domaine
Signature wines: maxime-graillot-crozes-les-lises
Tip: A producer to follow; each vintage shows increasing terroir precision and elegance.