Ad Vinum

Ad Vinum is a natural wine estate founded by Sébastien Chatillon in 2016, located in the village of Vallabrix in the Gard department of the Rhône Valley, France. The estate spans just over 5 hectares, with 3.5 hectares currently in production. The vineyard is situated on the old alluvial soils of the Rhône River, characterized by diverse terrains including limestone, clay-limestone, and loamy soils.

🌿 Philosophy & Practices

Ad Vinum follows organic farming principles, emphasizing minimal intervention in both the vineyard and the cellar. The estate employs spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, and all wines are unfined, unfiltered, and contain no added sulfur dioxide. The winemaking approach aims to express the purity and authenticity of the grapes and terroir.

🍷 Notable Wines

  • Rancio: An oxidative wine made from a blend of Pinot Noir, Grenache, and Cinsault. It undergoes fermentation in a single 450-liter barrel left outdoors, resulting in a wine with notes of caramel, salt, nuts, and spice.

  • Oursin: A red wine crafted from Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault. It undergoes 50% co-maceration for 7 days and spontaneous fermentation in barrels, showcasing the purity of the fruit.

  • Back on the Streets: A blend of Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Ugni Blanc. The grapes are hand-harvested, and the wine is made with minimal intervention, reflecting the estate's commitment to natural winemaking.

 

    • Rock Juice (online): Listed the 2018 Ad Vinum "Bim", made from Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre—organic, whole-cluster, carbonic maceration; no SO₂, unfined/unfiltered. Price: US $28 (sold out) Rock Juice.

    • Thirst Merchants (online): Carried Ad Vinum “Back On the Streets” 2019, a red co-ferment of Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Ugni Blanc, macerated 12 days with no SO₂. Price: US $52 (currently sold out) Tomorrow's WineThirst.

    • Context Wines: Offers six-pack sets of Ad Vinum wines such as “A Far L’Amore Comincia Tu” (2019) and “Back on the Streets” (2019)—prices around US $348–390 per six-pack, though availability is limited Context Wines.

    • RAW WINE Platform: Ad Vinum is featured among natural wine producers, with some bottles available for UK delivery or through RAW curated lists rawwine.comRAW WINE.