2016 La Ferme du Plateau ‘Grapeful Grolleau’

Region: Azay-le-Rideau < Loire Valley < France
Grapes: Grolleau
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Biodynamic farming, clay + silex soils; whole cluster press, carbonic maceration; fermented and aged in stainless steel then bottled unfined/unfiltered with zero added SO2
Winemaker: Adrien Baloche

Adrien and his wife of La Ferme du Plateau are fairly new to the scene. Their “estate” (basically a house with a yurt out back where they live with their young children) is a true polycultural farm dedicated to raising goats, mainly for cheesemaking, and veggies – there are only 6 hectares dedicated to grapes. The couple is deeply committed to biodynamic farming, and winemaking is about as “natural” as it gets. And technically spot on, as Adrien learned from one of the best winemakers in the region, Marie Thibault, with whom he worked for years before making his own wine. This is our happy place – pure, juicy, no-added-SO2 glouglou Grolleau that finishes with a hint of earth and dirt. Totally not sweet or frothy, this is serious wine in kids clothing. Serve slightly chilled, 30 minutes in the fridge…