Domaine Pierre Gonon is located in Mauves in the Ardèche. This family domaine spans10 hectares in the AOC Saint-Joseph. The Gonon brothers are the 4th generation to manage the family business and have become a leading light of Saint-Joseph. Loacted on very difficult terroirs, work in the vineyard here is tough. With the help of winches and hoists, the vines are cultivated by hand and never see pesticides or insecticides. The wines are sublime and have a distinct freshness. Very little of the wine is available to buy from the property and cuvées are snapped up by enthusiasts.

The Saint-Joseph Cap Nord of Domaine Combier is a single varietal of Syrah grown on plots of the villages of Serves and Gervans. They are blessed with south-western exposure and fructified on soils of slightly sandy decomposed granite, called loess. Their yields are limited to 35 hl/ha. Grapes are harvested by hand and the berries are vinified in small vats with some punch-down to extract their substance and colour. The wine is then aged in four-year-old barrels for 12 months. This single vineyard cuvée can be enjoyed when young but decanting is recommended at least one hour before serving to savour all its fruity floral and spicy aromas.