la vrille et le papillon
Introduced at a young age to the art and science of the vineyard by both of his grandfathers, Méryl Croizier always felt a strong attraction and a deep affection for the beautiful land of the Ardèche. And it was when he partook in his first harvests that he knew he was destined to become a winemaker himself. After studies in winemaking, he and his partner Géraldine have been lovingly tending 5 hectares of land in Valvignères, the valley of vines, since 2012.
The name la Vrille et le Papillon refers to the grapevine’s tendrils (vrille) that poetically wind their way skyward, and to the butterflies (papillons) that grace the landscape, a sign of the earth’s health and vitality. It was on a romantic walk through the parcels they would acquire that the name came to them. From the beginning, Méryl and Géraldine knew they wanted to work organically, nurturing their vineyards to obtain the best possible fruit. They made their first wines at the cellar of neighbours Hélène and Christophe of the Domaine des Vigneaux and have since built their own installations next to their family home. Committed to the philosophy of natural wine at every step of the process, their precisely crafted wines are elegant and alive: spontaneous fermentation, no filtering and fining, and no added sulphites.
A visit to the domaine is a moment of pure pleasure - beautiful surroundings, a warm and generous welcome, engaging conversation, a passion for craftsmanship, an optimistic outlook on life. These qualities inevitably shape the wines, and we are delighted to be able to bring a small quantity to British Columbia!
On Instagram: @la_vrille_et_le_papillon
Tous cousins - 2023
Juice bomb! Carbonic maceration gives this Syrah a lighter profile (12%) that pops with bright red fruit. A clean, glou-glou wine, perfect for festive get togethers!
Chapeau Melon - 2023
Merlot made in a a similarly accessible style, with a soft mouth feel and subtle tanins, ideally served a bit cool.
Novemberlot - 2019, 2021, plus a November 2021 harvest
It starts with 2019 Merlot, with some 2021 as well. In 2021, though, a June hailstorm destroyed three quarters of their harvest. In the weeks that followed, some of the white varieties grew new branches and leaves, with grapes that followed. These were allowed to ripen and a second, smaller harvest took place that November. Featuring 10% late-harvest whites (mostly Viognier, with some Ugni Blanc and Grenache Blanc) this wine exemplifies the resilience of farming practices that respect the whims of nature. Look for deep ruby colour, dark fruit and spice, and a nicely balanced structure with pleasant tanins and freshness on the finish.
Z Rouge - 2019
Carbonic maceration of Syrah (aged in demi-muid) and de-stemmed Merlot. A supple structure presenting a perfect balance of attractive spiciness and lively tannins. Limited availability.
