Terrasses / Terraces

In the north of our region, the Rhône winds along the foot of steep hillsides where vines are grown on narrow terraces held back by dry-stone walls. The slopes sometimes exceed 60%! Imagine how difficult it is for the winegrower to care for the vines and harvest the grapes. But for the walker, what a magic it is to come and admire the meanders of the Rhône from the terraces that stretch from Côte-Rôtie to Crozes-Hermitage. The terraces are called "chaillées" or "châlets" in the local dialect in the northern Côtes-du-Rhône, a term that is found in the names of certain vintages. The dry-stone walls are nicknamed "cheys" or "murgeys" north of Valence. In the southern Côtes du Rhône, we find these terraces in the Dentelles de Montmirail, and there, we call them “restanques”, “faysses” or “banquettes”.