Giannikos Winery - Merlin

The domain of Olivier and Corinne Merlin is located in the predestined village of Roche-Vineuse (literally: wine rock!) In the Mâconnais region. Burgundy, Mâcon and Beaujolais form the core range of the domain. Olivier studied oenology in Beaune and then worked as a cellar master in the Jura, where he met his wife Corinne. In 1985 he left for the California Napa Valley to vinify two volumes. At the beginning of 1987 he took over the 4.5 ha Domaine du Vieux Saint-Sortin. The old and dilapidated domain had been owned by the same family since 1750. Since then, the successful advance of Olivier and Corinne seems to be unstoppable. Even the terrible hail storm that completely destroyed 80% of the vineyards within 20 minutes on July 20, 2004 could not stop them. Olivier combines old wine wisdom, keen observation and hard work in the vineyards, with modern technology. An indispensable part of his philosophy is the abandonment of a grubbed and plowed vineyard for 4-5 years. Therefore, 5-10% of its land is systematically not in production. No synthetic pesticide or fertilizer is used, Moulin-à-Vent even works with old-fashioned horsepower in the vineyards. Nothing trendy bland, but pure old-fashioned healthy farmers' minds. The result can be summarized in four words: balance, purity, complexity and harmony, both for the white and red wines of the domain.