Chateau de Pravins Argile Ardente

From an estate dating back to 1251, and organic since 2010, when owner Isabelle Brossard returned things to how they should be to restore the vineyards and promote biodiversity. This award-winning wine is produced from old Gamay Noir vines in the famous region of Beaujolais, showing enticing sweet, black fruits on the nose and a ripe and well-structured palate. Plump and soft, it’s unfiltered with a depth of fruit and luminous character that’s helped along by the particular ‘argile ardente’ subsoil of the area.

• Gold Medal – 2019 Concours des Vignerons Indépendants de France (2018 Vintage)

The saying goes, “to make a good wine, the work begins in the vineyard”. With this in mind, the farming practices at Château de Pravins are evolving towards an agriculture of living organisms, based on simple agronomic rules derived from agroecology. Under the direction of Isabelle Brossard as manager, Pravin, where winemaking dates all the way back to 1251, received its organic certification in 2013. The grapes are hand harvested and pressing happens immediately after harvest. Plant cover and agroforestry play an active role in maintaining living soil, as healthy soils are the foundation for quality winemaking. The addition of plant extracts throughout the year also creates the optimal conditions for producing the best organic grapes.