La Ferme des Sept Lunes

Jean Delobre & Jacques Maurice

Rhône

Bogy

Jean Delobre took over his family’s estate in Charbieux, east of the former village of Bogy, in 1984. Initially sending grapes to the local cooperative, he began producing wine on-site in 2001 after converting to organic farming in 1997. The estate, traditionally a polyculture farm, included cereals, orchards, apricot and almond trees, herds, and vines, though it has increasingly focused on viticulture, cultivating Syrah as the main red, with whites including Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier. More recently, Gamay has been introduced on the plateau’s slopes. In addition, 4 hectares of vineyards from Jacques Maurice were incorporated into the Fermes des 7 Lunes label, expanding production while staying true to Delobre’s philosophy. His approach is rooted in biodynamics, guided by lunar cycles and spiritual principles. He practices zero yeasting, maintains low yields, and employs gentle extraction methods, including daily pumping over and punching down, without extensive maceration. His wines are fermented in open concrete vats, unfiltered, and often without added sulfur, resulting in a production that varies significantly from year to year.

Jean Delobre’s vineyards perch at the northernmost tip of the Saint-Joseph AOC, on a cliff rising 200 meters where the Ardèche plateau begins. On clear days, the view stretches all the way to the Alps, and the summit of Mont Blanc can even be glimpsed, despite lying 350 kilometers away. The elevated site brings cooler nights and a lively wind that shapes the character of the grapes, lending elegance, tension, and freshness to each vintage. The soils, a mosaic of granite and schist with decomposed rock, offer excellent drainage and a mineral backbone. Delobre’s work is guided by a deep connection to the land and an unwavering commitment to authenticity, ensuring that every decision in vineyard and cellar allows the vines to express their true voice. All wines are aged in old barrels to preserve purity and subtlety, except for his experimental macerated whites, vinified and matured in jars to explore texture and aromatic complexity. Gentle handling, zero yeasting, and careful extraction allow each parcel and vintage to speak, revealing a story unique to its terroir. Jean Delobre is a discreet winemaker, deeply attached to the notion of the peasant. His Saint-Joseph declination is singular, and his Syrah releases the structure of its tannins without the harshness of over-extraction, remaining suspended with finesse, elegance, and a quiet, enduring power.