The region of Ardeche lies on the cusp between Northern and Southern Rhone. On the western bank of the river, up in the hills, is an affordable and dynamic wine area where an increasing number of young wine growers work with the same varieties as its well known neighbour. La Vrille et le Papillon (the tendril and the butterfly) is located in Valvigneres, the epi-centre of the Ardèche natural wine scene.
Meryl Croizier’s connection to vines and agriculture in Ardeche runs deep, his grandparents were vignerons and farmers. At the age of 18 Meryl spent vintage working with Gerald and Jocelyne Oustric at Domaine du Mazel, ecological producers for over 20 years, also located in Valvigneres. These brothers have been instrumental in the growth and nurturing of new winemakers in the area, renting vines to Sylvain Bock and Andrea Calek at the beginning of their wine paths. Meryl subsequently completed formal studies of Agriculture in Dijon and Oneology in Montpellier.
In 2012 Meryl and Geraldine, with three young children in tow, returned to the family vineyards to commence their own project. It was time to settle having spent many years travelling with Meryl working from the Macon through to the Madiran in the south west.
They have 5 hectares of vines comprised of Syrah, Merlot, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier and Ugni Blanc, planted on clay limestone soils with lots of pebbley rocks. They converted the handful of small plots that were not already farmed as such to organics, eschewing herbicides and pesticides. Since 2014 they have introduced tisanes and biodynamic practices also.
For their first two harvests, 2012 and 2013, Meryl and Geraldine made their wine in cellars belonging to friends. By 2014 their own cellar was complete and Le Vrille et la Papillon’s home was established. Vinification is done with wild yeasts only, the wines do not go through fining or filtration.
These wines have purity, vibrancy and freshness along with structure and acidity. They offer exceptional value as well as drinking pleasure.
The Wines
Z Blanc 2017
100% Viognier. Direct-pressed, fermentation in barrels followed by 10 months elevage in old 600Lt barrels. This vintage retained about 3 gm residual sugar, and as such is bottled under crown seal. No sulphur.
Les Fees Papillon Rose 2019
100% Syrah. Direct-press, tank only, no sulphur.
Seconde 2019
A blend of Viognier, Grenache and Syrah, It’s the leftover grapes, the second pick. Carbonic macerated Viognier & Grenache with directly pressed Syrah juice. All tank, no sulphur.
La Tribu 2019
100% Grenache. Six day partial carbonic maceration, tank only, no sulphur.
Tous Cousins 2019
100% Syrah. De-stemmed, short 6 day maceration, tank only, no sulphur.