Brand Apollinaire

Grapes: Pinot Blanc + Chardonnay

Region: Alsace, France

Vintage: 2017

Viticulture: Organic + Biodynamic

Soils: Clay + Limestone

Vinification: Direct press, then fermented in barriques

Aging: 12 months in barrels

Fining or Filtering: None

Sulfur: None added

Notes from the Importer: Domaine Brand is situated in the heart of “La Couronne d'Or” (Strasbourg’s vineyard), in a village named Ergersheim. It is a familial estate since the 1950s, founded by Philippe’s grandfather. They have farmed organically since 2001 and the harvest 2015 will be certified Demeter. The vineyard is spread on 10 hectares with low yielding, split on three neighborhood commons, Ergersheim, Ostoffen, and Wolhxeim, all farmed entirely organic.

Philippe took over the domain in 2008, and brought a new life to the vinification practices from his experiences in Burgundy at Domaine de Montchovet, in Greece on Peloponnese Island, and in Australia in the Barossa Valley. Philippe decided to push further the organic farming to the Biodynamic, and straight away made a few wines without the addition of sulfur.

Since the vintage 2013, Philippe decided to launch a Natural range of Wine called “Apollinaire”, which is actually the emblem of the domain. All the labels of this range are made with Apollinaire Caligram. All these cuvée are made without entrant, the total average of So2 for this range is 20mg/l, and 50mg/l for the Cuvée Apollinaire. (source: Merchants of Thirst)