Sylvain Bock
ARDÈCHE
Of lesser renown than the great terroirs of Northern Ardèche on the right bank of the Rhône, the vineyards of Southern Ardèche have, over the last thirty years or so, proven to be a breeding ground for a new generation of winemakers interested in "natural" wines. Sylvain Bock, who settled near Alba-la-Romaine in 2010, is one of the most the most endearing personalities among them.
In southern Ardèche, the relative accessibility of vines and the presence of pioneers such as Gérald Oustric (Domaine Le Mazel in Valvignières) have undoubtedly contributed to the region's renaissance, with the arrival of winemakers like Sylvain Bock. After various experiences on different estates, particularly in the Northern Rhône and in the Mâconnais, Sylvain Bock settled in 2010 on the hillsides near Alba-la-Romaine, first purchasing 4 hectares of organically grown vines from Gérald Oustric, then a further 2 hectares in 2013. His estate is made up of a combination of limestone and basalt parcels, cultivated with varieties typical of the Rhône Valley (Grenache and Syrah), but also with grapes more usually found further north (Gamay). This is where he puts his convictions into practice: working the vines without chemical treatments, then vinifying the grapes without any inputs (including no sulfur since his 2012 vintage) to produce wines which prioritise an honest expression of the terroir, freshness and indulgence.
