Philippe has been producing skin-macerated white wines in amphorae since way back in 2005, and “Horus”—after the ancient Egyptian sky god—is a blend of Grenache Gris, Vermentino, Viognier, Muscat d’Alexandrie, and the obscure Aranel, planted in pebbly limestone. He ferments it half in amphorae built by a local artisan and half in steel, keeping the wine on its skins for six months, after which point it is pressed and returned to said vessels for another six months. The finished wine is exuberantly spicy, with a nice punch of tannins and tons of energy; think Collio, but less overtly powerful.

Advocates of the principles of organic and biodynamic agriculture, the Viret family has chosen to employ a particular form of natural viticulture throughout their estate. Known as “cosmoculture®”, this is based on cosmotelluric exchanges. Everything is organized in such a way that both vines and wines are able draw on their own natural defenses. Work in the vineyards focuses on reorganizing the magnetic field and on the application of homeopathic and naturals preparations made from rocks and plants that are often found on the spot.