La Chapelle Hermitage

Everything can change swiftly
on the Hermitage hill,

particularly on its south-facing slopes. To capture the perfect moment, daily grape tastings serve as a crucial reference point, predicting the vintage to come. A meticulously orchestrated process, from vineyard to cellar, swings into action to accommodate a sometimes narrow harvesting window.

The initially cool August conditions transition to scorching heat. The ripening of white grapes accelerates. To maintain the desired freshness, we commenced harvesting on August 23. Subsequently, intermittent episodes of brief yet intense rain slowed the pace of harvesting, extending it over five weeks. We selectively harvested our parcels to achieve the desired levels of ripeness.

The harvest is a manual endeavor, using small 12 kg crates, a unique approach on the Hermitage hill. Despite the complexities of hillside harvesting, we place great emphasis on the integrity of the grapes as they arrive in the cellar.

Approximately fifty harvesters tame this legendary hill. The precision of the pruners, combined with the endurance of the carriers, allows us to gather the precious grapes destined for crafting La Chapelle. Here, the crates are transported using a sled pulled by a winch.

It remains a highlight of the entire region’s harvest season.