A smash hit the last time it landed in New Zealand, La Souteronne is arguably Hervé Souhaut’s most recognisable wine - and a clear expression of why he commands such devotion from both natural wine fans and lovers of Rhône reds. Made from old-vine Gamay grown on granite in the northern Rhône (a rarity in itself), this is a very different proposition to Beaujolais: deeper and darker in fruit and colour with striking minerality. A short decant has it absolutely singing - juicy, floral and vibrant, light yet packed with tension and depth, it’s a cult wine for good reason.

Domaine Romaneaux-Destezet was created in 1993 by Hervé Souhaut. His holdings on the acidic granite soils of the northern Rhône and the southern Ardèche are a mixture of new and ancient vines—from 50 to over 100 years old.  Hervé works 5-hectares of these old and ancient vines, a beautiful and precious resource. He owns two vineyards in Saint-Joseph, just opposite the terraces of Hermitage. This region is, of course, legendary for the quality of its wines, thanks in part to its elevation, ancient vineyard sites, and southeastern and southern exposures. The domaine itself is located further into the hills of the northern Ardeche in the tiny town of Arlebosc, about a 30-minute drive, winding through the hills from St Joseph and the winery is underneath the 16th century “les romaneaux” fortified farm and sits in the middle of the vines that make up the Souteronne, Syrah, and white cuvées.