The name INOPIA, Latin for “made from nothing”, was chosen by the winemakers for the barren nature of the vineyard land they purchased and the minimal interventions they make in the winemaking process.
All the fruit for this wine is from the estate’s own vineyards around the winery in Orange. Mostly Grenache Blanc with Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette and a touch of Viognier. The grapes are pressed hard in a mechanical press to maximise oxygen exposure early on, with the juice then going through natural fermentation. The Inopia is then matured in cement eggs and oak barrels on full lees (yeast cells) for 16 months, with no additions bar a tiny amount of sulphur being added at bottling.
A compelling and complex white wine, showing a beguiling mixture of floral, citric and yellow stone-fruits, we recommend serving decanted and not too chilled.
Best value of all, though, may by the Inopia, which comes from the ‘Clos Saouma’ vineyards sited in the Cotes du Rhone-Village of Vieuw Bouigard near Orange, surrounding the winery. The couple have nine hectares planted in this less expensive land – yet it’s soil potential is outstanding (clay over deep beds of river rolled pebbles), and the wines, – one third white, two thirds red – are made accordingly to the same lees nourished unhurried principals. – Decanter
