Domaine Normand - Mâcon AOC 'La Roche-Vineuse'

Background: Domaine Normand is a 32 hectare estate in the Mâconnais region run by husband and wife team, Alain and Sylvaine Normand. The vineyards are spread over Solutré, Chaintré, Prissé and La Roche Vineuse, with a few vines planted in Saint-Véran. With a focus on environmentally-friendly viticulture, Alain and Sylvaine highly respect their individual terroirs and make their wines as naturally as possible. The Mâconnais region takes its name from the town of Mâcon and is Burgundy’s most southerly viticultural area. The topography sees gentle rolling limestone hills with a top layer of clay. Mâcon gained AOC status in 1937.

Winemaking: The grapes are gently pressed in a pneumatic press before undergoing a long fermentation using natural yeasts. The wine is fermented on its lees.

Sustainability: Certified HVE Level 3 sustainable and part of the Terra Vitis scheme: A national certification specific to winegrowing and recognised by the French Ministry of Agriculture of Food. Acting as a mark of quality for the consumer, the programme promotes and encourages grape farmers and winegrowers to follow the sustainable viticulture guidelines. Including taking action to protect water, soil and air from pollution, promote biodiversity within the vineyard and to balance ecosystems to work alongside grape growing, strive to manage the use of natural resources and raw materials and to ensure the whole production is energy efficient. By creating and maintaining a sustainable way of winemaking now, it preserves the heritage for future generations. Sylvaine and Alain are also working towards converting their plots to organic cultivation.