Château Barouillet Splash Pet Nat 2022

Vincent Alexis, an eighth-generation winemaker, has been instrumental in transforming Chateau Barouillet, a family winery established in Bergerac, into a beacon of organic viticulture. Vincent joined forces with his father and grandfather in 2010 to start this transition. By 2014, the entire 45-hectare estate, spanning across Monbazzillac, Bergerac Pécharmant, and Cotes de Bergerac, was fully converted to organic practices.

Chateau Barouillet's commitment to organic farming aligns with the natural wine movement's ethos. Vincent's approach in the vineyard is distinguished by its attention to terroir and microclimates. The estate's diverse terrain includes clay topsoil and limestone substratum in Pomport and Mescoules, contributing to the wines' distinctive profiles. The clay is particularly beneficial for water retention during hot weather, while the limestone aids in preserving acidity in the wines. This is crucial in Bergerac's warm, dry climate, where maintaining acidity in wines can be challenging.

Pecharment's soil composition includes a mix of red clay, iron, and silex. The flint rocks in this soil absorb heat, aiding the maturation of the grapes. This area experiences cooler temperatures and more rainfall than the rest of Bergerac, leading to a later harvest and riper fruit.

The winemaking process at Chateau Barouillet is marked by a delicate touch in the cellar, with low extractions and minimal, if any, use of sulfur. Vincent's pursuit of a fresher style than traditionally associated with Pomport is evident in his wines. This approach, combined with the estate's rich viticultural heritage and commitment to organic and biodynamic farming, has solidified Chateau Barouillet's reputation in the natural wine community.

The Bergerac region is located in Southwestern France, around the city of Bergerac, east of Bordeaux, and south of the Dordogne River. In Bergerac wine has been made for centuries and yet the region is not well-known. The reason for this is its proximity to Bordeaux, perhaps the most famous wine region in the world.

Bergerac not only borders with Bordeaux but also shares its ampelographic profile: grape varietals grown in the region are the same grown in Bordeaux. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot for red wines, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, and Semillon, for white wines, are the most widely planted grape varietals in Bergerac. Monbazillac and Cotes de Bergerac are the AOC appellations where the best-quality wines can be found.

The climate of Bergerac is on average maritime, however, as we move away from the Atlantic Ocean, it becomes gradually colder during the winter and hotter during the summer. Along the Dordogne River, we have higher humidity, and that’s where we can find sweet wines made with the noble rot technique. There is no soil formation typical to Bergerac: soils range from limestone to gravel with clay, and sand.