Domaine des Accoles “Le Rendez-vous des Acolytes” Grenache

Prior to establishing Domaine de Accoles, winemaker Olivier Leriche spent 13 years at Domaine de l’Arlot in Burgundy’s Nuits-Saint-Georges. He was instrumental in turning this famed Burgundy house to biodynamic farming. Olivier and his wife, Florence decided to head back to their home in the Ardèche to purchase just over 40 acres of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay. The couple's first goal was to convert the farming to fully organic and biodynamic principles. This is not the norm for a region snubbed upon for world-class grape growing. Although not customary to the Rhône winemaking tradition, Olivier harvests early in order to stay true to his winemaking philosophy acquired from his days spent in Burgundy. The result is more approachable wines with lower alcohol levels. This “Le Rendez-vous des Acolytes” bottling weighs in at 14% while most Chateauneuf du Pape any other satellite Côtes du Rhône Villages wine easily tip 15%. One taste and you’re taking a vir