“Whoever has a sense for good things will also make good wines” – David Reynaud’s credo. Today, Domaine Les Bruyères ranks among the five finest estates in Crozes-Hermitage. Across 27 hectares of biodynamic vineyards, Syrah wines of impressive precision are born. David, the “Prince of Syrah”, combines culinary pleasure with uncompromising quality – and since his Biodyvin certification in 2005, exclusively through natural methods.
More about Les Bruyères
The Prince of Syrah and His Revolution
When David Reynaud took over the family estate in 2002 at the age of 28, he faced a radical decision: continue selling grapes to the cooperative or go his own way? His answer was unequivocal – and revolutionary for Domaine Les Bruyères. Just one year later, he converted to organic farming, followed in 2005 by Biodyvin certification for biodynamic viticulture. This determination paid off: within just ten years, the estate catapulted itself into the ranks of the appellation’s top five producers.
Between Concrete Eggs and Horse Hooves
David’s approach combines tradition with innovative technology in a fascinating way. 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 operates according to the gravity principle – 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 practice. The result is wines of impressive complexity, such as the Crozes Hermitage rouge Georges, which reveals the power of old vines in perfect balance.
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 cultivates white varieties such as Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier. This diversity of terroir is particularly striking in the Crozes Hermitage blanc Aux Bêtises, which perfectly reflects the mineral finesse of the vineyard site.
Creativity Meets Precision
Alongside the classic appellation wines, David shows his creative side with the “7 Péchés Capitaux” (Seven Deadly Sins) series. These innovative cuvées reflect his passion for experimentation without losing the precision that distinguishes his wines. His expansion into Saint-Joseph also proves his instinct for exceptional vineyard sites – the 350m Saint Joseph rouge comes from an altitude of 350 metres and reveals an entirely different 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 earned international recognition with 91 points from Wine Spectator and gold at Decanter – accolades that David comments on with his characteristic modesty: “If you have a taste for what is good, then what you produce will be good too.”