ANDREA CALEK (l'Ardeche, France)
Andrea Calek did not start his young life with thoughts of being a wine maker. It seemed, though that destiny had written a different tale. After defecting from the Czech army in the 80s, he spent several years wandering through Europe somehow missing the call (although working odd agricultural jobs), until he landed with a bottle of Beaujolais from legendary natural-producer, Max Breton (a la Gang of Four). The rest, as they say is 'historie'. Andrea had always a fine taste for wine but, the taste of natural wine told him it was time to find his true role with vines of his own, with what means he had. In true vagabond style, he roamed (after stints at several wineries in Provence) into the remote Pays l’ÄôArdeche and discovered 5ha offered to him by fellow outlier, Gerald Oustric (Le Mazel). Now with roots, (and little more than his trailer!) he settled in and began his experimentation: a culmination of all his thoughts of tastings and work done up until then. Andrea is tireless. There are numerous cuvees resting in his resin tanks, from old wines and grafted new versions. His mind puzzles to name them for their unique personalities, defying vintage and parcel designation. His only philosophy he stands to: Do nothing and do nothing to take away. Leaning always toward freshness, he builds his wine based on taste and uses no sulfur to damage the true nature of his fruit. He works now with Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Viognier and Chardonnay in his clay and limestone soils. Each compilation is as unique as the man himself, as natural as he is marginal (as he defines himself). The wandering soul is at home in his little grove of vines. A place for his daughter to add inspiration as she dances through this natural land. Perhaps, it was not thoughts that Andrea had to be a wine maker. His mind was too full of poetry.
"Chantons de Garde" VDP de l'Ardèche 2009

100% Syrah harvested by hand in October. Ferments start with natural yeasts in small batches, promoting whole cluster fermentation. Skin contact for extended time but racked off to settle before bottling. Non-filtered or fined. No So2 added.