Les Vignes de Babass
Sébastien Dervieux – Babass among friends – started Domaine des Griottes together with Patrick Desplats in 2001 and thus became one of the first pioneers in Loire (and in France) to produce wine without the addition of sulphur or other additives. In 2011, the two went their separate ways, and today Babass continues to make wine under his own name in Beaulieu-sur-Layon south of Angers.
Babass – who by the way is an old rock musician, which explains the names of the wines Roc Cab and Groll ’n Roll – spends most of his time in the vineyards. Cabernet Franc, Grolleau, Gamay and Chenin Blanc mostly dating back to 1955-1960 grow here on a soil of clay, sandstone and slate.
The wines are made in a partially open barn, which is constantly exposed to the wind, the weather and temperature fluctuations. Here Babass intervenes as little as possible allowing the spontaneous fermentation to do its job while adding absolutely nothing to the wine. This does not mean, however, that everything is left to chance. Quite contrary, his winemaking is based on an enormous insight and experience in both the vineyard and the cellar, and all decisions are made after careful consideration. The wines of Les Vignes de Babass are free, untamed, vibrant and juicy, yet still highly precise.
