Grenache grape variety

Toile de Fond (exclusive vintage) Red 2024

Fond Cyprès

The vibrancy of the south, natural version

At the foot of the Corbières mountains, the Fond Cyprès estate produces a 2024 red wine imbued with freedom and energy. This natural wine, certified organic (AB), is born on sun-drenched clay-limestone soils, with total respect for the environment: soil cultivation without synthetic products, hand-harvesting, and vinification using short maceration without added yeasts or oenological additives. Here, the fruit expresses itself in all its purity, without artifice.

The Mediterranean trio – Carignan, Grenache, and Syrah – yields a wonderfully fresh wine, with a slightly spicier profile than the previous vintage. Its clear ruby color heralds a youthful and vibrant wine. On the nose, an immediate bouquet of red fruits (cherry, raspberry) mingles with a herbaceous and peppery touch reminiscent of garrigue paths after the rain. The palate, fluid and lively, seduces with its drinkability: smooth tannins, lovely acidity, and a clean finish of sweet spices. A wine that doesn't seek effect but rather the pure expression of the terroir.

Served at 16-18°C, it pairs equally well with grilled red meat or as an aperitif with friends, featuring fine charcuterie. This vintage requires no decanting and can be enjoyed now, but will gain complexity over the years, with an aging potential of 5 to 10 years.

Es d'aqui Paloma Red 2020,

Jean-Louis Pinto

Notes of strawberry, plenty of acidity, and a delicious flavor. Paloma is a light, thirst-quenching red, claret, almost a rosé. The grapes all come from Adissan, in the Hérault region: Clairette, Colombard on a strip of basalt soil, and Grenache on lacustrine limestone. The harvest macerates whole bunches for two weeks in stainless steel vats. Half of the wine is aged in 500-liter barrels and the other half in resin vats.

To find out more

A child of Ariège, Jean-Louis Pinto chose to stay in the country and make wines that resemble their terroir, hence the name Es d’Aqui (“It’s, it’s from here”) that he gave to his winemaking business, located in Moulin-Neuf, a town near Aude, between Mirepoix and Limoux. A region where vines once abounded, until the major mildew attacks at the beginning of the 20th century. Jean-Louis buys grapes grown organically by other winegrowers, his friends, in whom he has complete confidence. He doesn’t just buy the product, he monitors the fruit set, the ripening, and makes regular visits until August, in order to know the grapes before harvesting them. He vinifies it at home using natural methods, practicing long macerations with whole bunches. A three-week maceration is common for him, as are very gentle pressings in a vertical press. He says he has "a lot of vines in common" with his friend Anthony Tortul (La Sorga). His collection area extends throughout the Languedoc, particularly in the Hérault, around Adissan, Faugères and Saint-Chinian, as well as in the Aude (Limoux) and Tarn (Gaillac), two terroirs that are dear to him. It turns out that the typical Languedoc soils – schist, basalt, pebbles, clay-siliceous – particularly appeal to him for the freshness they give to the wines. "I make wines from the South," he says. I especially look for terroirs that give freshness, even if the wines are 14 degrees. " The grape varieties are, of course, typically Languedoc: Grenache, Carignan, Mauzac, Cinsault, Braucol, Duras and Sauvignon. The most powerful reds are made in five terracotta jars, which help him control the extraction and give his wines, he says, "a very crystalline side." The soil, the place, as we understand it, are of the utmost importance to him: once again, the name of his estate Es d'Aqui was not chosen by chance.

Le Grenache du Bois Saint Jaume Rouge 2020,

Fond Cyprès
Fresh, delicious, supple, intense, balanced, and with a surprising length on the palate, this beautiful red Grenache is perfect for drinking or keeping. Delicate and velvety, it offers beautifully blended tannins and a magnificent balance with notes of undergrowth and garrigue plants. It has the generous and caressing character of its grape variety. This is a good example of Fond Cyprès' "forest" wines, marked not only by their grape varieties but also by the wooded and windy environment that refreshed the grapes' growth. After hand-harvesting, destemming, and four weeks of fermentation in concrete vats, the wine spends ten months aging in old barrels. It comes from a sandy plot of Grenache vines surrounded by a forest and a biodynamic olive grove. It is aged for nine to twelve months in old 228-liter demi-muids, which have the advantage of not oaking the wine but ensuring a comfortable, gentle aging process.

Find out more
This Languedoc estate is built on solid foundations: its two winemakers, Rodolphe and Laetitia, are also descendants of winemakers. Even before planting their first vine, they already had a clear objective: "to produce southern wines that reflect us, wines with character, attached to our soils, with freshness and refined tannins." They want to obtain entirely natural wines, concentrates of terroir. In the old Corbières massif, they are taking over an old heart of the estate already planted with abandoned Carignan and Grenache, which have seen neither fertilizer nor pesticides for years: these clean, living soils are an ideal condition for launching into natural wine. Around this historic heart, they first planted Grenache Noir and Syrah, then a plot of white grape varieties: Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne. The estate has been Ecocert certified since 2010 and also complies with the Nature & Progrès charter. The vinification is done without the addition of sulfites or exogenous yeasts. "We make wines for pleasure," say Laetitia and Rodolphe. For them, natural wine is first assessed by taste, from the harvest. The vintages closely follow the plots, the musts are fruity, fluid, and complex. The wines of Fond Cyprès poetically evoke the estate's ecosystem and the vegetation that protects the plots: the pine forests, the shady springs, the beauty of the natural environment that brings freshness to the wines and leaves the soil's signature. Deliciously balanced between mineral imprint, vegetal environment and expression of fruit, the wines of Fond Cyprès reflect the South: the caress of its sun, but also the freshness of its shadows.

Lou Dilun Red 2021,

Clos des B

Lou Dilun ("Monday" in Provençal) is an organic and natural wine from the Côtes-de-Provence appellation and under the Écocert organic label, with no added sulfites. In the Grimaud vineyards, the Grenache and Cinsault grapes are selected on the vine. Everything is done, in the vineyard and in the cellar, to ensure the harvest is in perfect health and to avoid the use of sulfur in the vineyard or sulfites in the cellar. Fresh on the palate, Lou Dilun is lively and fruity, silky and velvety, with beautiful body. Light notes of fruit pit emerge from the framework of melted tannins. The secret to its incomparable roundness and fruitiness? Six months of aging in Atelier Centre France oak barrels. This is a wine that will be a pleasure to pair with a beautiful roast poultry.

Learn more about Clos des B

Clos des B (initials of the two owners) is an organic and natural wine estate located in Grimaud, in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Gwendolyn Berger and Jean-Jacques Branger are the proud producers of the very first natural cuvées from this geographical area. Before the two Bs bought these three hectares of vines, all these wines went to the cooperative cellar of the Vignerons de Saint-Tropez. Driven by a "thirst for vines," as they say, Gwendolyn and Jean-Jacques overcame administrative difficulties, restored the vineyard, and soon produced reds, rosés, and even a blanc de noirs. Their grape varieties are typical of the region: Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, growing on schistose sands crossed by quartz veins. The property benefits from a microclimate that protects the vines from humidity, disease, and frost. The viticulture and winemaking approach resolutely embraces organic (the estate is under the Ecocert label, applied for in 2020), biodynamics, and natural. The wines are without added sulfites, fining, or filtration. The wines of Clos des B are a true reflection of their terroir and climate: fresh, fruity, and very pleasant to drink, beautiful natural wines from the terroir of Provence.

Ganache Red 2021,

Domaine de l'Octavin

A complex, innovative, and delicious wine, obtained after eight weeks of whole-bunch maceration. Bottling was done in June 2022. Ganache is not far from Grenache, that's it, you get the idea, and Gamay joins the fray. The famous southern grape variety, cultivated biodynamically and harvested in Carpentras (SCEA L’Authentique by Claude Ughetto), vinified in the Jura, doesn’t feel out of place at all: nothing prevents it from unleashing its brazenly fruity notes – cherry, fresh and candied strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, plum, dried fruit – enhanced with plum, black pepper, spices and chocolate. All that? Yes. Don’t be surprised by a slight reduction upon opening: aerate the wine, decant, or let it wait a little in the glass, it will disappear.

Find out more
“You don’t need anything,” says Alice Bouvot, winemaker at Domaine de l’Octavin, “just a grape that’s comfortable in its own skin.” Everything is said in favor of natural wine, it’s a perfect description. Established in 2005, Domaine d'Alice is located in Arbois, in the Jura wine region, often described as the most organic vineyard in France. The practice of producing – among other things – oxidative wines is a good preparation for nature, as this type of wine does not allow any chemical additives and especially no sulfites. It is a secret of this magnificent region. Originally spread over two hectares, the estate, managed entirely biodynamically (Demeter) since 2010, has expanded through the gradual acquisition of plots and now covers seven hectares. An accomplished musician and passionate music lover, Alice aims to apply her musical sensitivity to the wines she makes. She draws a parallel between the technical perfection of conventional wines, which risks excluding feeling, while "a musician who does not know music theory and plays with his guts creates emotion." For her, living wine is like this: instinctive, improvised, emotional. Introduced to natural wine by Stéphane Planche, sommelier at chef Jean-Paul Jeunet in Arbois, she faithfully followed this path. The sometimes whimsical names of her vintages are inspired sometimes by musical art (Dorabella, Zerline), sometimes by the numerous plots of land that make up her vineyard (En Curon, Les Corvées, En Poussot, etc.), and do not disdain a pun from time to time. Likewise, the labels adorned with happy and salacious little gnomes are a signature of the estate. As for the grape varieties, they are the classics of the Jura: Poulsard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir for the reds, and Chardonnay, Savagnin for the whites. Alongside her Arbois wines, Alice has created a business selling "on the vine" grapes (Ecocert certified) with her winegrower friends in the region. Natural, committed, joyful and highly drinkable, Alice Bouvot's wines are all the more sought-after as the vintages, produced in plot-by-plot mode, appear, disappear and reappear depending on the vintage and inspiration.

Version Sud Rouge 2022

Fréderic Cossard
One hundred percent Grenache is the composition of Version Sud by Frédéric Cossard, an organic and natural red wine vinified in Burgundy from organic grapes harvested in the Vaucluse region.

Vinification
The Grenache grapes used to make Version Sud are harvested near Vaison-La-Romaine, in northern Provence, on clay-limestone soils. The vinification begins with a two-week maceration of whole bunches, without exogenous yeasts or added sulfur, and ends with a one-year aging in concrete eggs.

Tasting
The nose of Version Sud is intensely fruity, highlighted by garrigue plants. The ruby ​​color is superb and silky. On the palate, red and black fruits abound and are fresh. A true Provençal Rhône wine in the hands of this Burgundian virtuoso, Frédéric Cossard.

Learn more about Frédéric Cossard and the Chassorney estate
Frédéric Cossard and the Chassorney estate give voice to the terroirs and wines of Burgundy and elsewhere in an organic and natural way, undistorted by agricultural chemicals, according to the style and convictions of this winegrower and merchant. Wherever his grapes come from, his wines bear the Cossard brand, both classic and innovative.

Between viticulture and trade
Frédéric Cossard created the Chassorney estate in 1996: initially a few ares of vines in Saint-Romain, Auxey-Duresses and Savigny-lès-Beaune, and currently ten hectares spread across the Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pommard, Volnay, Bourgogne-Hautes-Côtes-de-Beaune and Bourgogne appellations. In 2006, he created his own trading house and buys organic grapes from the greatest climates of Burgundy, but also from Jura, Languedoc and elsewhere.

A solid commitment to nature
At Frédéric Cossard, the work of the soil and the vines is done naturally: plowing by horse, no chemical fertilizers or weedkillers. The vines are tended biodynamically, the harvest is manual, carried out at full maturity. Frédéric Cossard's vintages are rare and sought-after wines, always highly anticipated but which sometimes require waiting.

Côtes du Rhône Red 2022

Les Grandes Serres

This Côtes-du-Rhône from Domaine des Grandes Serres is what its name implies: an organic and natural red wine from the lower Rhône Valley, in the AOC-AOP Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages. It is part of the estate's "Comics" natural series (see label).

Vinification

The Côtes-du-Rhône from Domaine des Grandes Serres is made from 80% Syrah, with 5% of each of the following grape varieties: Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault, all grown on limestone and sandstone soils. The harvest is manual, the grapes are destemmed and macerated on the skins for three weeks. After pressing, the wine rests for eight months in stainless steel vats.

Tasting

A good, dense, indulgent, and fruity Côtes-du-Rhône, without the slight bite of sulfites, does that tempt you? This Côtes-du-Rhône is part of the estate's organic and natural "Comics" series and will always be perfect when you want a warm, fruity red wine suitable for all occasions.

Learn more about Domaine des Grandes Serres

Domaine des Grandes Serres, created in 1977 with respect for the environment and the terroir, represents the excellence and vitality, in organic and natural mode, of the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, where it covers 12 hectares. To make his estate and merchant wines, he harvests, buys grapes, vinifies, and ages them over a wide area, centered around Châteauneuf and the southern Côtes-du-Rhône, extending to areas such as Lirac and the Costières de Nîmes.

An organic commitment without ostentation

A large portion of the Domaine des Grandes Serres vintages are organic and without added sulfites, although the estate does not publicly boast about it. Modestly, Samuel Montgermont, the estate's general manager, explains that the geological and climatic conditions, particularly the mistral wind, promote the health of the vineyard and allow for the elimination of inputs. While the labels don't take themselves seriously, the wines are solid, fresh, and flavorful.

Gigondas Red 2022

Les Grandes Serres

Terroir, plot size and grape varieties

Nestled in the heart of the Dentelles de Montmirail, the Gigondas terroir asserts itself with its quiet strength and raw beauty. Here, in this fiery enclave of the Southern Rhône Valley, the vines find refuge on steep, stony slopes, bathed in sunshine and caressed by the mistral wind. This poor and demanding soil, a mixture of marl and limestone, gives rise to grapes of rare intensity.
In this 2022 vintage, Les Grandes Serres presents a cuvée driven by a classic and remarkably effective duo: Grenache, the sun-drenched king of the south, which dominates the blend, and Syrah, which brings tension and depth. Together, they express the wild and sensual soul of this emblematic terroir.

Cultivation methods

True to a respectful approach to living things, Les Grandes Serres crafts this Gigondas using natural winemaking methods, without artifice, allowing the grapes to express themselves freely. The vines are cultivated in harmony with natural balances, without synthetic products, with meticulous care given to each vine. The harvest is done by hand, selecting grapes at perfect ripeness, guaranteeing healthy and concentrated raw materials. In the cellar, aging is carefully controlled with restraint, without masking the wine's personality, to preserve its original freshness and lusciousness.

Tasting & pairings

The 2022 Gigondas from Grandes Serres is a true explosion of pleasure. From the first sniff, it seduces with its intense aromas of ripe red fruits, crushed strawberry, juicy cherry, which mingle with notes of wild thyme, dark chocolate and a slightly smoky, almost meaty touch.
On the palate, it's a wave of generosity: ample, velvety, but never heavy. Natural freshness balances the richness of the fruit, and the finish lingers on melted tannins, with a touch of salinity that begs for another sip. A "bombshell of deliciousness," certainly, but also a wine of character, with depth and true elegance.

Ideal for accompanying a summer barbecue with friends, a beautiful platter of artisanal charcuterie, or a grilled piece of red meat, this Gigondas is both approachable and refined. Served slightly chilled, it will also surprise with its lightness despite its 15% alcohol content, proving that power can indeed be drinkable.

A sincere, vibrant wine that warmly and generously expresses its terroir.

Terre Mere Red 2021,

Clos des B

Equipped with the Écocert organic label, Terre Mère is a natural red wine, with no added sulfites, from the Clos des B estate, located in the Bay of Saint-Tropez. Red and especially black fruits (blackcurrant, blackberry, blueberry) abound on the nose and palate. The wine is structured and tannic, but the tannins are supple and well-integrated, and the finish includes a very seductive note of bitter almond. It resembles an Amarone, but without the cooking note, with much more fresh fruit and freshness despite its overripeness. Terre Mère presents a beautiful liveliness upon opening, but we do not recommend decanting. It gains dimension and breadth at the end of the bottle. It comes from the finest grapes, plot by plot and vine by vine, which have been isolated vine by vine to be brought to this overripeness.

Why “Mother Earth”?

The name Mother Earth is a tribute, through the terroir, to Pacha Mama, the great earthly divinity. One clearly perceives through the tasting the producer’s desire to stick to the terroir, to extract its quintessence, in addition to the resolution to add no input to the vineyard or the cellar. This mature and evolved typicity (15% alcohol) results from particular winemaking methods: Mother Earth, a red wine in AOP Côtes-de-Provence, is composed of 50% Grenache, 20% Cinsault and 30% Mourvèdre harvested overripe in September. Vinification is carried out 90% in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and 10% in open barrels. Foot-punching is performed, as well as a few small pumping overs. Malolactic fermentation is complete. The wine is aged in 600-liter barrels and in 228-liter barrels previously used for several wines. No sulfites are added, neither in the vineyard, nor during vinification, nor at bottling. To discover other wines from the terroirs of Provence, also explore the Domaine des Grandes Serres, in the Southern Côtes-du-Rhône. And to accompany this beautiful wine, why not slice a beautiful sausage from Maison Montalet?

Learn more about Clos des B

Clos des B (initials of the two owners) is an organic and natural wine estate located in Grimaud, in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Gwendolyn Berger and Jean-Jacques Branger are the proud producers of the very first natural cuvées from this geographical area. Before the two Bs bought these three hectares of vines, all these wines went to the cooperative cellar of the Vignerons de Saint-Tropez. Driven by a "thirst for vines," as they say, Gwendolyn and Jean-Jacques overcame administrative difficulties, restored the vineyard, and soon produced reds, rosés, and even a blanc de noirs. Their grape varieties are typical of the region: Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, growing on schist sands crisscrossed by quartz veins. The property benefits from a microclimate that protects the vines from humidity, disease, and frost. The viticulture and winemaking approach resolutely embraces organic (the estate is under the Écocert label, applied for in 2020), biodynamics, and natural methods. The wines are made without added sulfites, fining, or filtration. The wines of Clos des B are a true reflection of their terroir and climate: fresh, fruity, and very pleasant to drink, beautiful natural wines from the terroir of Provence.

Xarab Garnacha Red 2009

Bodega Barranco Oscuro

On south-facing schist hillsides at an altitude of 1,300 meters, Manuel Valenzuela has created this astonishing sweet red wine from the Xarab series, made from Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, raisined on the vine and harvested in December. The wine is rich, intense, and generous, loaded with candied red fruits.
A natural wine with no added sulfites.

Ultreia Red 2021

Justine Vigne

Terroir, plot size and grape varieties

In the heart of the Rhône Valley, in an area untouched by conventional classifications, Justine Vigne is forging her own path. Labeled "Vin de France," but bearing a strong identity, Ultreia Rouge 2021 tells the story of a terroir shaped by sun, stone, and the spirit of the land. The grapes come from carefully selected plots, where Grenache and Cinsault, both derived from biodynamically cultivated Syrah vines, find their natural balance. This unique blend gives Ultreia its distinctive character, a harmonious blend of generous fruit and vibrant energy.

Cultivation methods

Justine Vigne cultivates much more than just vines: she embodies a philosophy. Every action in the vineyard is deliberate, respectful, and in harmony with the lunar cycles and the energies of life. Organic certification (AB) is just the starting point: her plots thrive biodynamically, without synthetic products, using homemade compost and plant infusions. This artisanal, patient, and sincere approach is reflected in every drop of wine, like a subtle echo of the slow pace of pilgrims.

Tasting & pairings

Ultreia Rouge 2021 opens like a whispered promise: a deep, almost velvety red robe already hints at the generosity of the fruit. The nose is a stroll through the hills: ripe red fruits, blackcurrant, black fig, enhanced by notes of garrigue, sweet spices, and a touch of toasted almond. A saline minerality aerates the whole, like a breath on the skin.

On the palate, the magic happens. The tannins are fine, silky, almost caressing. The wine glides smoothly, juicy, easy to drink, carried by a mouthwatering freshness that invites a second glass. Here, you find all of Justine's sincerity, her desire to let the land speak for itself, without artifice.

Ultreia is a wine for sharing, for a table set under the stars, for laughter around grilled meats, plates of charcuterie, for moments where life is enjoyed without haste.

"Ultreia," the pilgrims used to say: beyond, ever further. This wine is an encouragement to continue, to marvel, to celebrate what unites us. A handcrafted, poetic, and joyfully human vintage.

Cerro las Monjas 1368 Red 2005,

Barranco Oscuro

Blend of Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Grenache from high-altitude vines (1,368 m).
Extremely fresh wine, rich aromas, notes of Morello cherries and cherries.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Southern Red Version 2024

Rancio - Deuxième Mise White 2009

La Sorga

Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Rouge 2023 is an emblematic vintage from Domaine Matassa, driven by Tom Lubbe's vision: to produce bright, digestible, and deeply vibrant wines from the South. Made primarily from very old Carignan vines grown biodynamically on the schist and clay soils of Calce, this wine expresses the unique singularity of the Matassa style: freshness where power is expected.

The nose opens with crisp red fruits, sour cherry, redcurrant, and some floral and herbaceous notes reminiscent of the garrigue. With aeration, deeper touches of sweet spices, pepper, and a slight wild dimension characteristic of the estate's natural winemaking appear. On the palate, the texture remains fluid, precise, and energetic, supported by fine tannins and a tension that lengthens the wine with great elegance. A vibrant red, very digestible and almost ethereal despite its Mediterranean roots.

Châteauneuf du Pape Red 2022

Domaine Les Grandes Serres

With this 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape cuvée, Domaine Les Grandes Serres offers a rare and unique version of this prestigious appellation: a wine with no added sulfites, deeply rooted in its terroir, and made from a Grenache majority harvested on the characteristic rolled pebbles of the region.

The vinification, carried out with finesse, begins with destemmed maceration, favoring controlled extraction of aromas and tannins. The wine is then aged for one year in barrels that have held several previous wines, which gives it a beautiful structure, without excessive oak, and slow oxygenation that stabilizes it naturally. No sulfur is added, either during vinification or bottling, allowing the wine to express itself in its freest form.

When tasted, this cuvée reveals a deep and intense color, with garnet reflections. The nose is generous: ripe dark fruits, dried fruits, peppery spices, and a subtle smoky note evoke the garrigue and the warmth of the South. On the palate, it is dense, sun-drenched, but the balance is there: melted tannins, a long and warm finish, with a beautiful reserve of freshness.

This Châteauneuf will perfectly accompany grilled or sauced red meats, rich autumn dishes, or well-spiced Mediterranean cuisine. Already appealing when young after decanting, it has a cellaring potential of over 10 years. A rare, sincere, and resolutely expressive bottle.

CL Clarete Red 2023,

Partida Creus

An all-terrain claret for lovers of light and juicy wines

The CL Clarete 2023, produced by Partida Creus, is a light, delicately macerated red wine made from a bold blend of Carignan, Grenache, Merlot, Syrah, and Tempranillo. This claret is a tribute to the freshness and conviviality of thirst-quenching wines, while remaining rooted in a natural vinification process that respects its clay-limestone terroir.

Tasting: between red fruits and spices

The nose opens with aromas of citrus, pomegranate and juicy red fruits, enhanced by a spicy touch that brings unexpected depth. On the palate, the CL Clarete is round and silky, with a beautiful acidity and minerality that give it a refreshing and savory finish. It charms with its balance and liveliness.

A versatile wine for all occasions

Thanks to its lightness and freshness, this claret is perfect for accompanying white meats, charcuterie dishes or even roasted meats. It also excels with simple Mediterranean dishes, such as grilled vegetables or mixed salads.

Serve between 12 and 14°C, without decanting, it can be enjoyed young for its liveliness or aged for up to 5 years to develop more complexity.

Es d’aqui Trachéo Red 2019

Jean-Louis Pinto

A superb wine, refined and fresh, beautifully fruity. A nose of raspberry, rose, licorice, and Languedoc garrigue. On the palate, very well-integrated tannins. Beautiful energy, sunshine, and plenty of structure. This is a pure Grenache, made from grapes grown in the schist soils of Cabrerolles, in the Faugères region. It has a aging potential of six or seven years, but can be enjoyed now. The harvest macerates for twenty-three days in whole bunches and the wine is aged in resin vats.

To find out more

A child of Ariège, Jean-Louis Pinto chose to stay in the country and make wines that resemble their terroir, hence the name Es d’Aqui (“It’s, it’s from here”) that he gave to his winemaking business, located in Moulin-Neuf, a town near Aude, between Mirepoix and Limoux. A region where vines once abounded, until the major mildew attacks at the beginning of the 20th century. Jean-Louis buys grapes grown organically by other winegrowers, his friends, in whom he has complete confidence. He doesn’t just buy the product, he monitors the fruit set, the ripening, and makes regular visits until August, in order to know the grapes before harvesting them. He vinifies it at home using natural methods, practicing long macerations with whole bunches. A three-week maceration is common for him, as are very gentle pressings in a vertical press. He says he has "a lot of vines in common" with his friend Anthony Tortul (La Sorga, see link). His collection area extends throughout the Languedoc, particularly in the Hérault, around Adissan, Faugères and Saint-Chinian, as well as in the Aude (Limoux) and Tarn (Gaillac), two terroirs that are dear to him. It turns out that the typical Languedoc soils – schist, basalt, pebbles, clay-siliceous – particularly appeal to him for the freshness they give to the wines. "I make wines from the South," he says. "I especially look for terroirs that give freshness, even if the wines have an alcohol content of 14%." » The grape varieties are, of course, typically Languedoc: Grenache, Carignan, Mauzac, Cinsault, Braucol, Duras and Sauvignon. The most powerful reds are made in five terracotta jars, which help him control the extraction and give his wines, he says, "a very crystalline side." The soil, the location, as we understand it, are of the utmost importance to him: once again, the name of his estate Es d'Aqui was not chosen by chance.

Magnum Tracheo 2016

Es d'aqui Jean Louis Pinto
This pure Grenache comes from the schist soils of Faugères. It is a superb wine, refined and fresh, beautifully fruity. It has aging potential for six or seven years, but can be enjoyed now. Nose of raspberry, rose, licorice, and Languedoc garrigue. On the palate, very well-integrated tannins. Beautiful energy, sunshine, and plenty of structure.
Natural wine with no added sulfites.

Ranciolytique Red 2010

Domaine La Sorga

The Grenache vines from which this red wine is produced are located in Lagrasse, in the Corbières region, on clay-limestone and ferruginous soils. After a nine-month whole-bunch maceration, the wine is aged in demijohns and then in old barrels for eighteen months. This wine possesses sweet aromas of candied grapes, chocolate, and cherry, making it an excellent companion to cheese, a tangy dessert, or chocolate mousse. It can be aged for twenty years.

A natural wine with no added sulfites.