Collection: Domaine Viret

Domaine Viret was founded in 1917. Since 1973 the third generation has been developing and perfecting their own method of farming which they have christened ‘Cosmoculture’. Alain and Philippe Viret embraced the biodynamic teachings of Rudolf Steiner, taking them even further to harness the natural energy of their terroir. Basing the winery in the centre of the most powerful energy ley line on the property, they have also placed standing stones and crystals at crucial sites of electromagnetic importance in their vineyards and cellar. The vineyards are planted in various ancient patterns to maximise the energy of the soil and the cosmos. Plantings are varied with Philippe bringing in cuttings from around Europe of rare or struggling grape varieties, to make sure they always have a presence somewhere. His two most recent experiments are a small amount of land planted with a field blend of Portuguese varieties and a half hectare planted in spiral formations. In the winery, fermentation is in steel or concrete tanks and then, by gravity, passed to either steel, concrete or amphora. The Viret’s were the first in France to reintroduce the use of Amphora. Sadly we lost our friend Philippe last year. The winery, though, continues.