Château l’Ermite d’Auzan
For the Castillons, wine is a family affair with nine generations of winegrowers, three of whom are at the head of Château l’Ermite d’Auzan, acquired by Jérôme Castillon’s grandfather in 1973.
At 48 years old, the winemaker is today at the head of an 80-hectare vineyard, benefiting from the marine microclimate – the famous thermal breezes – specific to Costières de Nîmes and now enjoying international recognition. Between Rhône and Vidourle, it firmly claims its attachment to the Rhône Valley and belonging to the Costières de Nîmes appellation: “collectively, we have found a true identity, we are us, we are Costières de Nîmes”.
An organic château
Jérôme says it himself, organic is in the genes of the Castillon family, a family of hunters who like to see healthy game proliferate just like the fauna and flora that surround them. This is why for two years the entire estate has been in organic conversion. But according to Jérôme, this conversion must also be done both at the level of practices and of the state of mind. “This is how we are credible and how we motivate an entire team to adopt an “organic” mentality. Moreover, when we recruit, people who have organic experience are of particular interest to us.”
His favorite vintage: Epicuria
It is as difficult for a winemaker to choose his favorite vintage as it is for a chef to choose his best dish on the menu. But if he had to choose one, it would be this: the Epicuria vintage. Produced on a large base of Mourvèdre on a parcel of old vines of twenty-five years of age planted on a terroir of Durantian rolled pebbles specific to Costières de Nîmes.
The aging takes place in truncated conical wooden vats for a year and the wine is characterized by aromas of black fruits and crunchy on the palate. “We seek excellence through finesse. For me, a great wine is a wine that is very drinkable and takes you on a journey.”
The vintage will accompany different types of dishes such as red meats (lamb chops in a Provence herb crust), a beautiful cheese platter or even seasonal feathered game.