Sylvain Bock
Alba-la-Romaine, Ardèche

Sylvain Bock is based in the southern Ardèchoise town of Alba-la-Romaine where he has been running his domaine since 2010. After years of experience working with local legend Gerald Oustric of Le Mazel he set off on his own and now owns 7 hectares of organically farmed vines planted nearby to his cellar.

Sylvain works his vineyards across two terroirs here in the south of Ardèche. Closest to the cellar the mostly flat vineyards are based on a pure golden limestone with very little topsoil and are planted with Chardonnay and Grenache Blanc as well as a few rows of old vine Grenache Noir and Merlot. Further north in the valley and at higher altitude we find Gamay Syrah and some more Grenache Noir planted on basalt soils on the slopes of an extinct volcano.

Over the years he has learned how to get the best from these plots and now will most often opt to ferment the grapes on their stems ensuring a perfect balance of fruit freshness and drinkability. Other work in the cellar is minimal with élevage taking place in a mixture of cuve and barrique and wines bottled with no additions.

A few years ago work was completed on a new cellar in Alba-la-Romaine which has allowed Sylvain the space to further age wine he does not believe ready to be bottled. His palate as well as his experience and imagination often dictates how the final cuvées are assembled and so they may change slightly vintage to vintage. Raffut and Suck A Rock are always based on single varieties where his old vines do the talking but others such as Fruit Jazz and Les Grelots vary depending on how Sylvain feels they will express themselves best.

Being the first producer we imported Sylvain and his wines hold a special place in our hearts and with the arrival of each new vintage it is clear that he is a vigneron at the absolute top of his game whose wines continue to impress year after year.