Domaine Terra Noe 'Upsilon' | Ardeche, France

Domaine Terra Noé is a 25ha estate in the south of the Ardeche, in the commune of Rochecolombe, overlooking the valley. It is the flagship vineyard of the Vignerons Ardéchois and The Cooperative Society of Collective Interest (SCIC) nof over 900 members. With more than €2.3 million in subscriptions, this has enabled the purchase of over 60 hectares of vineyards and the establishment of new winemakers in the Ardèche region.

The organically certified Roussanne and Marsanne grapes that make up this cuvée come from vines planted on deep, stony clay-limestone soils.

They are worked as follows: 1 out of 3 rows are naturally grassed with different species such as oats, faba beans and rye to provide the necessary nutrients for the vines. The remaining 2 rows are worked to aerate the soil and avoid too much plant competition.

The harvested grapes undergo a long pressing, with the press juice and free-run juice separated. Vinification is carried out in the traditional way, with must settling at a temperature below 8°C, followed by temperature-controlled fermentation at between 18° and 19°C. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in French oak vats of approximately 30 hectoliters. Once fermentation is complete, the wine is aged on its lees in the same vat for around 9 months on the lees, which are stirred once a week initially, then once a month.

Domaine Terra Noé has been organic since 2019 , gaining certification in 2022. It is now converting to bio-dynamic farming, specifically regarding ‘Preparations‘ - treatments and supplements for the soil.