COUNTRY :
France
REGION :
Ardèche
PRODUCTION :
Anders Frederik Steen
Anders Frederik Steen makes wine from “grapes and only grapes”. He’s been doing this since 2013 when he first started buying fruit from winemakers he admired and making wine alongside legendary Jura vigneron, Jean-Marc Brignot.
Anders and his family have now settled in the beautiful village of Valvignères in the Ardèche and he grows grapes and makes wine at his friends Jocelyne & Gérald Oustric’s farm, Le Mazel. It is a beautiful spot on the slope of a wide, open valley and the many varieties grown here thrive on a perfect mix of clay and limestone. The vineyards are full of life, having been tended organically for decades.
In his previous life, Anders was both a chef and sommelier, working at the best restaurants in his native Denmark. First as a sommelier at Noma, later opening Manfreds and Relae. This experience informs his winemaking in that he does not seek to follow rules and doesn’t feel the need to do the same thing every year. Instead, as he harvests he tastes the grapes and begins to imagine the kind of wine he might be able to make. It is a refreshingly logical, creative approach, and the results speak for themselves.
Anders’ wines are made from red grapes which are either pressed directly or destemmed by hand and white grapes pressed directly in a beautiful old wooden press. Any blending is done during the harvest and the different varieties always ferment together, spontaneously, outside under the open sky. The wines are bottled unfiltered, with no additions and are thoughtful, original expressions of this part of the Ardèche.
“Je suis comme ça et alors”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Grenache noir
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press, no maceration, spontaneous fermentation in fiberglass with indigenous yeasts
Aging: in fiberglass
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“On s’éloigne…..on s’approche”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Gewürtztraminer
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: 2 day maceration in open vats, spontaneous fermentation in fiberglass with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 42 months in old barrels
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“Wear me like a flower”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Pinot Blanc
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: 2 day maceration in open vats, spontaneous fermentation in fiberglass with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 30 months in old barrels
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“I hate to say goodbye”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Grenache Noir, Carignan
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: spontaneous fermentation in old barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 30 months in old barrels
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“Si tu chantes avec moi, on chantes tous ensemble”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Grenache Blanc
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: 4 day press, spontaneous fermentation in old barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 24 months in old barrels
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“The sound of people clapping improves when it’s raining”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: 5 day press, spontaneous fermentation in old barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: in old barrels
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“Quand tu balances je te tiens au bout du doigt, et je te raméne vers moi”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Marsanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Carignan
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press of Marsanne and Sauvignon Blanc, destemmed Carignan, 6 week maceration, spontaneous fermentation in old barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: in old barrels
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“I like it when your fingertips slide through my hair”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Viognier
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: 4 day press, spontaneous fermentation in old barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: in old barrels
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“I hope everyday”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache Noir
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press, spontaneous fermentation in fiberglass with indigenous yeasts
Aging: méthode ancestrale, disgorged
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“New Peach on the Block”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache Noir, Cinsault
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press, spontaneous fermentation in fiberglass with indigenous yeasts
Aging: in fiberglass
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“I can see You from the other side of the Valley”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Grenache Blanc, Viognier
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press, spontaneous fermentatino in old barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: in old barrels and bottle
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“RdT”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Muscat Blanc, Chasselas, Italia, Ribol Noir, Cardinal, Syrah, Grenache Blanc
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press of Syrah, 6 week maceration of Muscat Blanc, Chasselas, italia, Ribol Noir, Cardinal, Grenache Blanc in Syrah juice, 3 day press, spontaneous fermentation in old barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 11 months in old barrels
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“Les Vignes des Enfants”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Petite Sirah
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: destemmed, 8 day maceration in fiberglass, spontaneous fermentation in old barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 30 months in old barrels
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“La Femme à qui?”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Apples, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: separate, spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts
Aging: méthode ancestrale
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“Rose water and Coconut oil”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Pinot Noir, Gewürtztraminer
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: destemmed Pinot Noir, 18 hour maceration in direct press Gewürtztraminer, spontaneous fermentation in old barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: in old barrels, sur lie
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“What if the Photo really stole our Soul?”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Field Blend
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: short maceration, direct press, spontaneous fermentation in old barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 24 months in old barrels, sur lie
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“Washing my Eyes in the soft Summer Rain”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc, Carignan
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: 36 hour maceration, spontaneous fermentation in old barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 36 months in old barrels, sur lie
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“I prefer to be where I am”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: 3 day press, spontaneous fermentation in old barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 24 months in old barrels, sur lie
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“Poetry of Silence”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Pinot Noir
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: 25% destemmed, 75% direct press, 24 hour maceration, spontaneous fermentation in fiberglass with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 37 months in old barrels, sur lie
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“Now is when I know I love you”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Chardonnay
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: 4 day press, spontaneous fermentation in old barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 10 months in old barrels, sur lie
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“Jumping on a cable car to where the dreams go”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Gewürtztraminer, Pinot Gris
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press, 48 hour spontaneous fermentation in open vats, 6 month spontaneous fermentation in fiberglass with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 12 months in old barrels, sur lie
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“Hey you Girl with the brown shoes on”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Chardonnay
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press, spontaneous fermentation in old barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 48 months in old barrels, sur lie
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“You can only have me for so long”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Gewürtztraminer, Pinot Gris
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press, separate, 24 hour spontaneous fermentation in open vats
Aging: 12 months in old barrels, 12 months in bottle
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“Let’s go Disco”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Field Blend
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press, spontaneous fermentation in fiberglass with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 10 months in fiberglass, sur lie
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“…and suddenly she had to go”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Grenache Noir
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press, spontaneous fermentation in old barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 24 months in old barrels, sur lie
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“When a piece of pink rice paper hits the glow of a cigarette”
Region: Alsace
Grape: Pinot Noir
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: 50% destemmed, 50% direct press, spontaneous fermentation in fiberglass with indigenous yeasts
Aging: in old barrels
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“Quand j’étais Petit, je n’étais pas Grand”
Region: Alsace
Grape: Gewürztraminer
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press, spontaneous fermentation in fiberglass with indigenous yeasts
Aging: in old barrels
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“Dansons jusqu’aux Rêves”
Region: Alsace
Grape: Pinot Gris
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press, spontaneous fermentation in old barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 66 months in old barrels
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“La cligne de l’œil”
Region: Alsace
Grape: Gewürztraminer
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press, spontaneous fermentation in old barrels with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 66 months in old barrels
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
“Searching for the Space Monkey”
Region: Ardèche
Grape: Viognier, Syrah, Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc
Vineyard Size: 0.60 hectares
Soil: clay, limestone
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic, biodynamic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press, spontaneous fermentation in fiberglass with indigenous yeasts
Aging: in fiberglass
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none