“Whoever has a sense for good things will also make good wines” – David Reynaud’s credo.
Domaine Les Bruyères now ranks among the top five estates in Crozes-Hermitage. Across 27 hectares of biodynamic vineyards, Syrah wines of impressive precision are produced. David, the “Prince of Syrah”, combines culinary pleasure with uncompromising quality – since his Biodyvin certification in 2005, exclusively using natural methods.
The prince of Syrah and his revolution
When David Reynaud took over the family inheritance in 2002 at the age of 28, he faced a radical decision: carry on selling grapes to the cooperative, or go his own way? His answer was clear, and revolutionary for
Domaine Les Bruyères. Just a year later he converted to organic farming, and in 2005 came Biodyvin certification for biodynamic cultivation. This determination paid off: within only ten years the estate had shot up into the top five producers of the appellation.
Between concrete eggs and horses' hooves
David's approach combines tradition and innovative technique in fascinating fashion. While he works his soils with a
horse-drawn plough, he vinifies in modern 16-hectolitre concrete eggs and traditional concrete tanks. The underground cellar works by gravity, gently and respectfully. His rigorous selection begins in the vineyard and continues in the cellar: destemming, a traditional basket press and spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts are standard. The results are wines of impressive complexity, such as the
Crozes Hermitage rouge Georges, which shows the power of old vines in perfect balance.
A terroir of ancient river stones
The
Châssis plateau, with its clay-limestone terraces, tells a geological story spanning millions of years. The characteristic galets, round pebbles from former riverbeds, store heat during the day and release it to the vines at night. This unique combination of clay, sand and stones shapes the unmistakable character of the wines. While 87% of the vineyard area is planted with Syrah, David also grows white varieties such as Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier. This diversity of terroir comes through most impressively in the
Crozes Hermitage blanc Aux Bêtises, which perfectly reflects the mineral finesse of the site.
Creativity meets precision
Alongside the classic appellation wines, David shows his creative side with the series
„7 Péchés Capitaux" (Seven Deadly Sins). These innovative cuvées reflect his passion for experiment without losing the precision that distinguishes his wines. His expansion into Saint Joseph also demonstrates his feel for exceptional sites: the
350m Saint Joseph rouge comes from an altitude of 350 metres and shows quite another facet of the northern Rhône. He shares this philosophy of uncompromising quality with colleagues such as
Domaine du Coulet, which also farms biodynamically and is helping to shape the renaissance of the northern Rhône. The estate has won international recognition with 91 points from Wine Spectator and gold at Decanter, accolades on which David comments with characteristic modesty: "If you have a taste for what is good, what you produce will be good too."
