Chateau L'Ermite is one of our favourite finds from Costieres de Nimes the south of France. The winery has been operated by the Castillon family for four generations!

The Rhone Valley is blessed with an ideal combination of contrasting climate influences. The round stones that were created by glaciers moving and rolling rivers reflect heat upon the vines to encourage ripening. The stones retain the heat into the night which is needed when the mistral wind starts gusting down the Rhone Valley starting near Dijon. The mistral wind could blow the ears off a donkey. The vines need to be staked down to prevent them from blowing over but the benefit is that it cools the vines and retains acidity, essential for aging.