Definition: Saint-Joseph

Once past Condrieu and Château-Grillet, heading south on the right bank of the Rhône, you reach the Saint-Joseph appellation, an AOC recognised since 1956, which stretches along the eastern slopes of the Haut-Vivarais.
Saint-Joseph is very much like its patron saint: discreet, nuanced and with a fairly solid structure. Sculptor Raymond Huard erected a statue of the saint on the heights of Chateaubourg.
Syrah is to Saint-Joseph what Roussanne is to Saint-Péray, a small neighbouring appellation. Syrah is undoubtedly the only grape variety grown here, covering more than 650 hectares.
We remember the controversy surrounding the revision of the Saint-Joseph appellation, which ended in a very close vote by local winegrowers on 15 February 1991, leading to the exclusion of nearly 50% of the areas classified in 1969 (out of 308 voters, there were 168 "yes" and 140 "no" votes). This revision proves that there was a real awareness among winegrowers of the benefits of producing a quality wine.
It is thanks to the Order of Saint Joseph de Rochevine, based in Saint-Désirat, that the wine brotherhood can "spread the renown of Saint-Joseph and Haut-Vivarais far and wide". However, Saint-Joseph remains well supported and shares an enthusiastic wine-making destiny with Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, Saint-Pierre-de-Bœuf, Saint-Vallier and, of course, Saint-Désirat.
On 19 March, the Christian religion celebrates Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary and foster father of the baby Jesus, who made his living as a carpenter. In the past, there was Joseph the carpenter; today, there is the well-built Saint Joseph!