After a wonderful visit last spring, we are happy to share our second release from a grower at the forefront of the next generation in the Ardéche, Didier Cazac.
We first met Didier at the home of Samuel Boulay, who had spoken highly of his young friend’s work in the past. As a discreet man who isn’t fond of fanfare, Sam’s praise had got our attention and the wines we enjoyed over lunch left a lasting impression.
Didier has worked in vineyards for the best part of two decades, content growing fruit for others and saving enough money to travel in his free time. However, it was a harvest spent working alongside the legendary Giles Azzoni that opened his eyes to a new way of making wine, leading him down the path he follows today.
Didier now farms two hectares of vines amongst the forest outside the picturesque village of Vallon-Pont-d’Arc in the region’s south. Planted over clay and limestone, they benefit from a proximity to several streams, which lend freshness in what is an increasingly warm and arid place in which to grow grapes. In his small cave in the village, he works with the most basic of tools in a decidedly unfussy fashion, producing pure, nourishing wines with a great sense of place.
These wines all come from the 2022 harvest, which proved to be a challenging one after an uncommonly hot, dry growing season. However, Didier’s are amongst the best wines we have tried from the vintage, retaining great balance and freshness throughout.
Didier’s wines are now available on Tutto a Casa