Domaine de Mermès in Gras: organic wines in Ardèche, tasting and visit

Just 15 minutes by car from Mas Saint Antoine, on the Gras plateau at 360 metres of altitude, Domaine de Mermès grows 25 hectares of vines in organic farming. After 10 years welcoming wine lovers to southern Ardèche, we’ve noticed this address charms both curious visitors discovering a family vineyard and more seasoned wine enthusiasts looking for authentic cuvées. Here is our complete guide to plan your visit and tasting.

What is Domaine de Mermès and why is it worth visiting?

Domaine de Mermès is a family organic vineyard located at 175 Chemin de Mermès, on the Gras plateau (commune of Gras, 07700). The estate is run by Patrice and Séverine, passionate winegrowers who carry on a know-how passed down through generations.

What makes this estate particularly interesting for Mas Saint Antoine guests:

1. An organic vineyard: 25 hectares on clay-limestone and stony soil at 360 m altitude, giving the wines a mineral, fresh signature typical of the Gras plateau.
2. A complete range: dry and sweet whites, dry and sweet rosés, single-varietal and blended reds, plus 3L, 5L, 10L and 20L wine fountains — perfect for family holidays.
3. A cellar open year-round, 7 days a week: from 9am to 8pm, including bank holidays. Rare and precious for guests who don’t want to worry about restricted opening hours.
4. Free guided tours in July and August: every Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm, duration 1h30, no reservation needed. Vineyard tour, cellar visit, wine and local terroir products tasting.
5. Awards: 2 Silver Medals at the Concours Général Agricole de Paris in 2016, among other distinctions.
6. Beyond wine: the estate also produces pure grape juice and lavender/lavandin essential oils — perfect to bring a piece of Ardèche back home.

How to reach Domaine de Mermès from Mas Saint Antoine?

Address: 175 Chemin de Mermès, 07700 Gras, France. GPS: N 44° 25′ 36.919, E 4° 33′ 7.938. Free parking on site.

What to see and do on site?

1. Year-round cellar tasting

The basic experience: walk into the cellar, open every day from 9am to 8pm including bank holidays. Patrice, Séverine or a team member welcomes you in a friendly atmosphere to discover their IGP Ardèche and AOP Côtes du Vivarais wines.

Tasting is free and informal. You can taste several cuvées at your own pace, discuss the terroir, the grape varieties and the organic conversion. Plan 30 to 45 minutes depending on your interest.

2. Free vineyard tour (summer only)

From July to August, the estate offers every Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm a free guided tour of the vineyard and cellar, followed by a tasting of wines and local terroir products. Duration: about 1h30. No reservation needed — just show up.

3. The estate shop

• Wine bottles: €6.50 to €9.50
• 3L wine fountains: from €11
• 5L wine fountains: from €15
• 10L and 20L fountains: for groups or long stays
• Pure grape juice: quality non-alcoholic alternative
• Lavender and lavandin essential oils: locally produced

The wine range

Whites

• Viognier (IGP Ardèche dry white): fruity and fresh, perfect for aperitifs or seafood.
• Chardonnay (IGP Ardèche dry white): fruity with floral notes.
• Esprit d’Automne (sweet white): the estate’s sweet wine.

Rosés

• Mistralou (dry rosé): Cinsault-based blend with Grenache, Syrah and Merlot.
• Gourmandise (sweet rosé): Grenache and Merlot, raspberry notes.

Single-varietal reds

• Syrah: deep colour, powerful tannins.
• Merlot: red fruit aromas, soft and approachable.

Blended reds (the house favourites)

• Jean Esprit: Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend with woody aromas.
• Colline d’Esprit: Grenache and Syrah blend, Mediterranean style.

When to visit? Which season?

Spring (April to June)

Vines wake up, the Gras plateau turns green, lavenders begin to form. The cellar is open daily, attendance is low — personalised welcome guaranteed.

Summer (July to mid-September)

Main period for free guided tours (Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6pm). If you want the full experience, this is the ideal window.

Harvest (September)

Fascinating period to observe cellar work. Call ahead for commented tastings during this busy period.

Off-season (October to November)

Excellent period: new vintages appear, attendance drops, autumn light is beautiful.

Winter (December to March)

Cellar remains open daily from 9am to 8pm, including bank holidays. Perfect time to buy gift cases or build up your wine cellar.

Budget for 2026

Plan around €30 to €60 to bring home a week’s worth of wine for family holidays.

Mistakes to avoid

1. Confusing Mermès with Saint-Remèze: it’s actually in Gras (neighbouring village, 10-15 min by car).
2. Arriving exactly at 9am or 8pm: prefer 10am-12pm or 3pm-6pm for a peaceful tasting.
3. Skipping the wine fountain: 3L of rosé for €11 is unbeatable value for holidays.
4. Not asking for food pairing advice: Patrice and Séverine know their wines inside out.
5. Underestimating the drive back: drink responsibly. Country roads back to the Mas require focus.

Why stay at Mas Saint Antoine to discover Domaine de Mermès?

• ✅ 15-20 minutes from Mas to Mermès — one of the most direct routes to an organic estate in southern Ardèche
• ✅ 6 independent gîtes (1 to 10 guests), all air-conditioned with WiFi
• ✅ 2-hectare estate with 13×6m pool, panoramic terraces, outdoor games
• ✅ Plancha on every terrace — perfect to enjoy Mermès wines in the evening
• ✅ 4.9/5 from 130 verified reviews
• ✅ Petit Futé 2026 selection
• ✅ Ideal for groups (privatisation 20-38 people) — organise themed wine weekends
• ✅ Personalised welcome by Bernard and Héléna with local producer recommendations

Discover our 6 accommodations and check availability →

In conclusion

Golden rules for a successful visit:

1. Prefer 10am-12pm or 3pm-6pm for a peaceful tasting
2. Enjoy the free tour in July-August (Tuesdays and Thursdays 6pm)
3. Call ahead for in-depth commented tasting or group visits
4. Consider the 3L or 5L wine fountain for family holidays
5. Try the Viognier, Mistralou and Jean Esprit cuvées as a priority
6. Combine with another local activity for a full terroir day

Domaine de Mermès is more than a tasting visit: it’s a meeting with two passionate winegrowers who make organic wine the way it was made a century ago — with patience, terroir and family know-how. 15 minutes from Mas Saint Antoine, it’s one of those addresses that turn an Ardèche stay into a real immersion in southern French wine culture.