The Wine Project

Presentation

The sublime terroir!

Since 2015, the Grotte Saint-Marcel has been a natural cellar for ageing wine. Constant temperature and humidity, absolute darkness, CO₂ levels, are all conditions that come together for exceptional wines.
Initiated by the winegrowers of Saint-Marcel d'Ardèche, the oenological project involves ageing their best vintages, mainly red Côtes du Rhône and a "Saint Andéol", in the Grotte Saint Marcel for around two years. Comparative tastings of the same vintages matured in the cellars and in the cave are clear-cut: the wine aged underground has gained in finesse, freshness and minerality; the flavours of spice and fruit are magnified.

An extraordinary sensory experience!
  •  - © Cherrystone et Vallée de la Gastronomie
  • wine project oenotourism cote du rhone wines ardeche 60 - © Rémi Flament
  • wine projet saint marcel d'ardèche wine estate cotes du rhone aoc 82
  •  - © Cherrystone et la Vallée de la Gastronomie
The Cave Naturelle des Gorges de l'Ardèche®, created in 2015, is an underground wine-ageing area within the Grotte Saint-Marcel. 

A few figures:

          🍷 3,000 bottles stored 45m underground 
          🍷 The largest network in Ardèche, with 64 km of network
          🍷 Constant temperature of 14°C
          🍷 Humidity: 86%

Several appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) wines are represented: Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages and Côtes du Rhône Villages Saint-Andéol.

Vino Habilis

9 wine estates in Saint-Marcel d'Ardèche mature their wines in the Cave Naturelle des Gorges de l'Ardèche® :

          🍷 Cellier des Gorges de l’Ardèche
          🍷 Cellier du Moulas
          🍷 Domaine des Champs Vermeil
          🍷 Domaine du Chapitre
          🍷 Domaine de Couron
          🍷 Domaine de Cousignac
          🍷 Domaine la Pierre Laine
          🍷 Domaine Saladin
          🍷 Mas de Libian


The Vino-Habilis association brings together the winegrowers taking part in the wine ageing experiment at the bottom of the Grotte Saint-Marcel.
To find out more, visit the shop or the Bistrot de la grotte.

Our sensory services:

If you want to experience the magic of wine tasting underground, choose the Epicurean Visit for a food/wine pairing (1-hour guided or self-guided tour of the cave followed by a tasting with our oenologist guide for 1 hour) or SpéléŒnologie® for a tasting in total darkness (caving tour and tasting: 3 hours)!
  •  - © Cherrystone et Vallée de la Gastronomie