Domaine Jérémy Bricka

Jérémy Bricka is using traditional techniques and replanting rare local varieties to make refreshingly expressive alpine wines. After studying oenology Jérémy worked at Guigal for 8 years managing their St. Joseph and Hermitage vineyards. As a lifelong mountain lover, and looking for a change of scene, he moved to Trieves in the Rhône-Alpes in 2011 and co-founded the first French whisky distillery, Des Hautes Glaces. Jérémy fell in love with the region, however his success with whisky was mixed, so he decided to return to his original passion: vines and wine. He bought five hectares in Isere in 2015, an IGP on the eastern border of France above the Rhône and below Savoie. He chose a site with steep slopes, black shale soils where he felt there was potential for local varieties. He planted: Verdesse, Mondeuse Blanche and Noir, Altesse, Persan, Estraire de l’Aduï and Douce Noire. Farming is certified organic, at 500-700 metres the site is quite cool, which keeps disease risk low. In the winery Jérémy favours a gentle approach, using neutral vessels, and minimal sulphur to ensure the vibrancy of the variety and terroir translate into the glass.