Thérèse and Michel Riouspeyrous returned to the heart of the Pyrenean mountains in 1989 to revive the family farm. Previously, it was not mixed farming and livestock that sustained it, but vines, in the village of Irouléguy – today the only AOP in the French Basque Country. The couple took over Michel’s grandfather’s estate.
Following painstaking work involving terracing, planting new vines and developing the winery, the estate now extends over 12 hectares. The vineyards are planted to Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc for the reds, and Petit and Gros Manseng alongside Petit Courbu for the whites. The estate adopted of both organic and biodynamic practices long before such approaches became widespread. Through passion and perseverance, the Riouspeyrous – now joined by their sons Iban and Téo – have become a benchmark of Irouléguy and a leading reference in South West France, celebrated for its expressive organic and biodynamic wines.

A phenomenon of this south-western domain, the Dolia cuvée, as its name suggests, was matured in amphora. A pellicular maceration has greatly contributed to the strong impression of fruit and citrus notes. Its dense texture is balanced by a superb tension, offering a certain crystalline character to the whole. The finish rounds off with a lovely bitterness, allowing for some lovely food pairings.