Vinyer de la Ruca
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Vinyer de la Ruca 〰️
Manuel Di Vecchi Staraz, the visionary behind Vinyer de la Ruca, is a Tuscan-born natural winemaker who found his calling in the rugged, sun-drenched hills above Banyuls-sur-Mer, Roussillon, France. A former agriculture professor at the University of Montpellier, Di Vecchi abandoned academia to cultivate 5.5 hectares of old, low-yielding bush vines—primarily Grenache, Carignan, and Mourvèdre—on steep, schist and granite terraces near the Mediterranean. His vineyards, some just a few hundred meters from the sea, are tended entirely by hand or with the aid of his mule, Ullamp, due to the challenging terrain that prohibits mechanization.
Di Vecchi’s approach is uncompromisingly artisanal and biodynamic, guided by the seasons, lunar cycles, and minimal intervention. He uses no chemicals, crushes grapes by foot, destems by hand, and ferments naturally with indigenous yeasts in old barrels or terracotta amphorae, often without added sulfur. His tiny yields—around 2,000 bottles annually—produce wines of profound intensity, minerality, and Mediterranean character, evoking the region’s sun, stones, and garrigue. Cuvées like Silvano, Judas, and Ellittico, bottled in hand-blown glass, reflect his artistic ethos, blending raw power with elegance.
Based at Les 9 Caves, a collaborative cellar in Banyuls where he also produces the vibrant Tutti Frutti Ananas wines with friends, Di Vecchi’s work is a testament to patience and craft. His wines, celebrated for their depth and sense of place, are sought after by natural wine enthusiasts worldwide
Where to Find Vinyer de la Ruca Wines
Online Retailers (Global & EU Focus)
International Retailers & Distributors (Examples & General Tips)
Vinyer de la Ruca's wines are extremely limited and are distributed through a very select network of highly specialized natural wine importers and top-tier natural wine bars/shops. Finding them requires patience and often a direct relationship with a dedicated retailer.
- **United States (Key Importers/Retailers):**
- **Thirst Merchants (Online, US):** A highly curated online natural wine shop that frequently offers highly allocated wines, including Vinyer de la Ruca when available.
- **PDX Wine (Oregon, US):** An importer that has carried Vinyer de la Ruca and provides detailed producer information. They typically work with distributors in various states.
- **Public Wine Shop (Australia - online & retail, may indicate US connections):** While based in Australia, their listing of Ruca suggests international import networks that might overlap with US distribution.
- **Astor Wines & Spirits (NYC):** A large, well-regarded retailer that sometimes manages to secure limited quantities of highly sought-after natural wines, including Vinyer de la Ruca Banyuls.
- *Given their extremely small production, there isn't one universal US importer for all states. You'll need to check with individual, highly specialized natural wine shops or their direct importers for availability.*
- **France (Roussillon & Major Cities):**
- Manuel Di Vecchi Staraz is part of the **Les 9 Caves** collaborative cellar in Banyuls-sur-Mer. While not a retail outlet for his wines, it's a key location for his production and community.
- **Natural Wine Bars and "Caves à Manger":** In cities like Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and particularly in the Roussillon region itself, specialized natural wine establishments will be your best bet.
- **Australia:**
- **Living Wines (Importer):** A prominent importer of natural wines in Australia, often carrying Vinyer de la Ruca.
- **Public Wine Shop (Online & Retail):** As mentioned, a strong retailer in Australia.
- **Asia (e.g., Japan):**
- **Mottox (Japan):** Has been noted as a distributor for highly sought-after natural wines, including potentially Vinyer de la Ruca.
- **General Tip:**
- **Form Relationships with Natural Wine Retailers:** For wines of this rarity, developing a relationship with a local natural wine shop and asking them to notify you of new arrivals is often the most successful strategy.