Domaine des Accoles
Olivier and Florence Leriche are a husband-and-wife winemaking team known for their work at Domaine des Accoles, a biodynamic estate in the Saint-Marcel d'Ardèche region of the Northern Rhône Valley. Their journey into winemaking is a testament to their dedication to a particular philosophy.
Both Olivier and Florence are formally trained, with Olivier studying agricultural engineering and oenology, and Florence specializing in plant protection. Their careers in wine started in a very different region: for 13 years, Olivier managed and converted the prestigious Domaine de l'Arlot in Burgundy to biodynamic farming.
In 2011, they embarked on their own project, Domaine des Accoles, driven by a desire to return to their roots and the discovery of old, exceptional vineyard parcels in the Ardèche. The name "Accoles" is an ancient Occitan word for terraces, a nod to the terraced vineyards that make up a large part of their estate.
Winemaking Philosophy
The Leriche's winemaking philosophy is rooted in a deep respect for the land and a minimalist approach in the cellar:
Biodynamic Farming: Having previously converted Domaine de l'Arlot, they applied the same principles to their own estate. The vineyards have been certified organic since 2014 and biodynamic since 2015. They focus on maintaining biodiversity and soil health.
Low-Intervention Winemaking: In the cellar, they use native yeasts and a gentle, "infusion" style of pressing.They prefer long maturation periods and use minimal doses of sulfur, often adding a small amount only at bottling, and sometimes not at all.
Terroir Expression: They believe in allowing the unique character of their old-vine parcels to shine through. This is why many of their wines are bottled as Vin de France, giving them the freedom to create terroir-driven cuvées without the constraints of a specific appellation.
Their wines are praised for being elegant, precise, and a perfect blend of the finesse of Burgundy with the warmth and power of the Southern Rhône. They produce a variety of wines, including reds from grapes like Syrah and Grenache, and whites from varieties such as Viognier and Chardonnay.
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Les Caves de Pyrene: This is a key importer and distributor of natural and biodynamic wines in the UK, and they represent Domaine des Accoles. They are a great starting point for finding other retailers that carry their wines. https://lescaves.co.uk/
Cave pur jus: This retailer lists Domaine des Accoles as one of their producers and has carried their wines. https://www.cavepurjus.com/en/vigneron/domaine-des-accoles.html
USA
CoolVines: This retailer has stocked Domaine des Accoles, with specific listings for their "Le Rendez-vous des Acolytes." https://newark.coolvines.com/
Liquor Express: This online shop has also listed wines from Domaine des Accoles. https://www.liquorexpress.us/
Wine.com: While often showing their wines as "sold out," this large online retailer has a producer page for Domaine des Accoles, making it a good place to track their releases. https://www.wine.com/list/wine/domaine-des-accoles/7155-105734
Canada
Noble Estates: This is a wine and spirits distributor in Ontario and a good place to inquire about the availability of Domaine des Accoles' wines. https://www.nobleestates.com/
Vino Vancouver: A specialty importer and retailer in British Columbia, they focus on artisan producers from France and are a strong potential stockist. https://www.vinovancouver.ca/
France
Domaine des Accoles (Official Site): The most direct way to get information on their wines and any on-site sales is through their own website. https://www.domainedesaccoles.com/
La Cabote: This retailer has a page dedicated to Domaine des Accoles. https://www.lacabote.com/en/221_domaine-des-accoles
