Domaine Ozil 'Rochette' Blanc 2022

Press 4 Mix / Press 4 White • June 2023 Direct Press Selection

Nestled within the esteemed Gigondas appellation in the southern Ardèche region of France, Domaine Ozil is a diverse farm boasting a rich history that spans five generations. Originally, the land was purely used to grow and supply grapes, but in 2013 brothers Jean Daniel and Thomas Ozil, under the mentorship of Gilles Azzoni, made the decision to craft natural, sulfitefree wine instead. It marked a significant turning point for the land, and today the estate’s organic certification and biodynamic farming practices reflect the brothers’ enduring commitment to the environment and sustainability. What’s more? Domaine Ozil is also still an active farm, harvesting produce such as olives, peaches, lavender, and an assortment of vegetables, epitomizing the vibrancy of rural life. Consider me charmed.

With Domaine Ozil “Rochette” Blanc, the brothers of Domaine Ozil have meticulously crafted a wine that genuinely reflects the region’s terroir. By synergizing the Mediterranean warmth and mineral-rich soils of the Rhône Valley, they’ve created a wine that encapsulates the essence of its origin: elegance and brightness.

The blend of Viognier, Roussanne, and Grenache Blanc gives the wine dimension while making it drinkable at any and all times. You get body, peach and pineapple from the Viognier, honey and almond from the Roussanne, and bright acidity from Grenache Blanc. A floral nose and a crisp finish makes it impossible to put down. In other words: a classic vin de soif. Logan Davis