Wind farms, landfill sites and television masts? Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) thank you very much.
But what if your back yard was one of the most revered Syrah vineyards in the world. Yep, you’d be pissed off.
That’s why I got an email this week from Caroline Frey, owner and winemaker of producer Paul Jaboulet Aîné, calling for help in the fight against a second (yes, a second) telecommunications mast that is due to be erected above the renowned La Chapelle vineyard in the village of Hermitage.
The pylon is to be located at the very heart of La Chapelle vineyard – only 50-meters away from Hermitage Hill’s famed Chapel of St. Christophe (La Chapelle), which has been owned by Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné for almost 100 years.
Caroline Frey, owner and winemaker of Paul Jaboulet, together with prominent Rhône Valley producers, are seeking the help of the courts to protect the signature landscape of La Chapelle; which, is the Rhône Valley’s oldest and “most sacred vineyard” says Frey.
The pylon construction will also compromise Hermitage Hill’s on-going application for recognition as a nationally-protected site – the final step before it can achieve UNESCO Heritage Status.
“Hermitage Hill, and especially La Chapelle, is a historically significant location which deserves protection of its unique heritage and landscape,” says Caroline. “Every year, thousands of visitors from all over the world come to pay homage to this original home of the Syrah grape and this tourism is a major part of our local economy.”
Caroline and her team at Paul Jaboulet are asking for our support in protecting the heritage of La Chapelle and Hermitage Hill.
To send an email of your protest directly to ITAS TIM, email contact@itastim.fr and copy c.frey@jaboulet.com.
Or, sign the Petition Against the Pylon .
I’ve signed up – it only takes a minute of your time and it might be the most useful minute of your day.
