Séléné

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Séléné 〰️

Sylvère Trichard & Mathilde Sothier — Breath of the New Beaujolais

Founded in 2012 by Sylvère Trichard, Domaine Séléné (also known as Domaine de la Tallebarde) is rooted in the four hectares of Gamay vines planted by his grandfather in the 1950s, in the village of Blacé, Beaujolais. Trained by natural wine pioneers—Jean‑Claude Lapalu in Beaujolais and Dominique Belluard in Savoie—Sylvère embraced minimal intervention and ecological care as core principles from the very start.

Together with his partner Mathilde Sothier, he now cultivates 10 hectares of Gamay (plus tiny plantings of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir). They work organically and follow biodynamic practices, aiming to capture the essence of their terroir day-by-day, without artifice.

Vineyards & Viticulture

  • Terroir: The estate lies on sandy, pink granite soils with occasional clay pockets—classic ground for Gamay that yields wines with lift, minerality, and clarity.

  • Vine Age: Vines range from 30 to 85 years old, planted with massale selection and carefully managed yields (~30 hl/ha).

  • Farming Approach: Certified organic and transitioning toward full biodynamics. The team fosters biodiversity on-site through compost, cover crops, hedges, and integration of animals and orchards—and tends all vines by hand to maintain soil health and vine balance.

Winemaking Philosophy

Everything begins in the vineyard. Sylvère’s motto is: “Don’t try to fix in the cellar what you didn’t do in the vineyard.”The approach:

  • Grapes are handpicked, often whole-cluster.

  • Fermentation is wild yeast, semi-carbonic for Gamay, in concrete or buried tanks.

  • No added yeast, no chaptalization, minimal pumping or manipulation.

  • Around three cuvées see no sulfur at all, while some bottlings may receive just a pinch at bottling, depending on the vintage.

  • No fining, no filtration—wines are bottled as naturally as possible.

Signature Wines

  • Beaujolais-Villages Rouge & Rosé: Bright, energetic, and pure—these cuvées offer instant charm and accessibility.

  • Côte de Brouilly: Sourced from old-vine Gamay on basaltic slopes; structured and age-worthy with floral spice and mineral depth.

  • Primeur (Nouveau) Style Gamay: Early release, whole-cluster fermented with juicy intensity and fresh acidity.

  • Blanc Chardonnay: Fermented and aged in concrete, crisp and saline—highlighting a lesser-known expression from the estate.

  • Rosé Pét-Nat: From Gamay (including Gamay de Bouze), bottled mid fermentation to finish naturally in the bottle, no added sulfur—sparkling, energetic, and fun.

 

Where to Find Sylvère Trichard Séléné Wines

Online Retailers (Global & EU Focus)

Wine-Searcher.com **Your primary resource for global availability.** Search for "Sylvère Trichard Séléné" to find various merchants listing their wines and compare prices. Stock can be limited due to high demand.
MORE Natural Wine (Online, Ships EU) A leading online retailer specializing in natural wines, based in Berlin, Germany. They frequently stock Séléné wines, including Beaujolais Villages and Cuvée de Printemps, and ship across the EU.
MYSA Natural Wine (Online, Ships US) A prominent online retailer for natural wines in the US, often featuring various Séléné cuvées.
Lieu-Dit (Online, Ships EU) A Danish online shop focused on natural wines that frequently carries Sylvère Trichard Séléné wines.
Natural-Wines.com (Online, Europe) A comprehensive directory and online store for natural wines, listing Sylvère Trichard and often providing purchasing options.
Highbury Library (UK Online Retailer) A UK-based online bottle shop with a strong selection of natural wines, frequently stocking Séléné, especially Beaujolais Nouveau.

International Retailers & Distributors (Examples & General Tips)

Sylvère Trichard Séléné wines are highly sought after by natural wine enthusiasts globally. They are distributed through a network of specialized importers and independent natural wine shops.

  • **United States (Key Importers/Retailers):**
    • **Ungrafted Selections:** A key US importer for Séléné wines. Check their website to see their distribution partners in various states.
    • **Natural Wine Company (Online & Retail):** Based in the US, they frequently stock Séléné wines.
    • **Thirst Merchants (Online, US):** A curated online natural wine shop that often features highly allocated wines, including Séléné.
    • *Look for independent wine shops that specialize in natural or organic Beaujolais in major US cities.*
  • **France (Beaujolais & Major Cities):**
    • Sylvère Trichard's wines are highly popular in France. You can find them at dedicated natural wine shops (cavistes) and wine bars (bars à vin, caves à manger) across Beaujolais and cities like Paris, Lyon, and Marseille.
    • **Vins Nature (Online, France):** An online retailer focusing on natural wines that carries Séléné.
    • **VinsChezNous (Online, France):** Another French online option for natural wines from Beaujolais.
  • **United Kingdom:**
    • **Wines Under the Bonnet (Importer):** A primary UK importer for Séléné, providing detailed producer information and likely supplying many independent shops.
    • **Forest Wines (London):** An independent London wine shop specializing in natural wines, known to carry Séléné.
    • *Look for reputable independent wine merchants specializing in natural Beaujolais.*
  • **Canada:**
    • **Juice Imports (Alberta, BC):** A key importer for natural, organic, and biodynamic wines in Canada, actively importing Séléné.
    • **Grape Witches (Ontario):** An online retailer and wine club specializing in natural wines, frequently features Séléné.
    • *Check with local natural wine-focused importers and shops in your province.*
  • **General Tip:**
    • **Join Mailing Lists & Follow Social Media:** For highly anticipated releases like Beaujolais Nouveau, joining mailing lists of your preferred natural wine retailers and following their social media accounts (Instagram is common) is often the quickest way to get notified.
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