On the sandy northern river banks of the Dordogne, just kilometres before it turns into the Gironde estuary and just meters from the water’s edge, Frederic Mallier, along with his wife and two sons, have been running a fully biodynamic 22-hectare estate since 2006. 11 Hectares are planted with vines and the rest is home to fruit trees, bees, sheep, chickens and a vine nursery for the conservation and reproduction of ancient grape varieties.

Of particular note is a 0.33 hectare plot of un-grafted, pre-phylloxera vines that were planted 150 years ago. Soon after taking ownership they had DNA tests done for every single vine in this very special plot and the results tell us the varieties are 65% Bouchalès (a rare ancient Bordelaise variety), 25% Merlot and the other 10% are other rare local varieties, some believed extinct (Mancin, Peloursin, Castets, Cot, Baco and others).