Additional Info

Site: Les Habrards is located in and overlooks the village of Gervans. The slope is very steep and terraced. It faces directly west, towards the Rhône river. The unique western exposition results in a different quality of light and moisture at this site. The vineyard is at approximately 200-meters elevation.

Geology: Soil maps indicate that the majority of the vineyard is planted on surficial deposits of calcareous, wind-blown loess. In addition to the loess and other re-worked sediments, we observed the biotite granite bedrock with large feldspar crystals. The granite here is one of the rare exceptions when the term "blue granite" is an accurate description of the rock; minor impurities in the quartz crystals within the granite make it appear light grayish-blue.

Soils: At least two major soil types dominate the vineyard, including deep, yellow-brown, silty-sandy loess soils, and deep, silty to sandy decomposed granite soils.

Parcel: Jean-Baptiste’s parcel lies entirely on the granitic portion of the vineyard, and the soils are, therefore, more shallow, acidic, and rocky (stones of decomposed granite) in comparison to the portions of the vineyard planted on loess.

We are greatly indebted to Brenna Quigley for the geology and physical descriptions.