Producer · Mâconnais · France
Domaine de la Verpaille
"Our philosophy is to look for balance and biodiversity in our soils in order to get the finest grapes. We harvest when optimal ripeness has been obtained. Fermentation progresses in a leisurely fashion with natural yeasts." — Baptiste Philippe — vintageroots.co.uk & bourgogne-wines.com
Their story
The Philippe family has been making wine in Viré since 1880. Today Baptiste and Estelle — fifth generation, both holding a BTS in Viticulture and Oenology — lead the estate with quiet authority. In 2006 they began converting to organic agriculture, achieving AB certification in 2009. Harvests are timed for optimal ripeness. Fermentation relies on native yeasts only. No chaptalization, no acidification. The wines rest on fine lees for 12 months before bottling. Some of the Mâcon Villages vines are centenarian, and the Viré-Clessé Virolis comes from 70-year-old vines on south-east facing hillside parcels.
Meet them
Visit Domaine de la Verpaille.
Once or twice a year we take a small group to the land where these wines are made. Days with the family, lunch in the cellar, no jargon.
See upcoming trips →