Saint-Joseph

🇫🇷 France

AOC

AOC 1956 - Northern Rhône's largest appellation, Victor Hugo's "vin de Mauves" stretching 60km

0 venues 0 trails

Region profile

History

Known as "vin de Mauves" since 8th century, favored by Charlemagne. King Louis XII (1498-1515) owned vineyard here (Clos de Tournon). Victor Hugo mentioned it in Les Misérables. AOC granted June 15, 1956 for 6 communes; 1969 expansion to 26 communes controversial (dilution fears). Jean-Louis Grippat was benchmark producer until selling to Guigal (2001). First official vineyard record: 1668.

Climate
Continental; granite slopes on right bank of Rhône; 60km stretch creates varied microclimates; steep hillside vineyards
Signature wines
Pierre Gonon and Domaine Coursodon - old-vine granite Syrah benchmarks; Jean-Louis Grippat (now Guigal) historic reference
What sets it apart
Victor Hugo's "vin de Mauves" in Les Misérables; King Louis XII's personal vineyard; 60km stretch makes it Northern Rhône's largest; controversial 1969 expansion

Facts

  • AOC June 15, 1956 with just 6 communes
  • expanded to 26 communes (1969) across 60km
  • capped at 3,000ha (1994)
  • currently ~1,200ha planted
  • King Louis XII owned Clos de Tournon vineyard

Region profile from the Wine Memories wine-data corpus · verified January 2026