Domaine Myrko Tépus was established in 2017 on 10 hectares of 40-80 year old vines around the village of Esparron de Pallières at the gateway to the Gorges du Verdon (IGP Côteaux du Verdon). From the beginning Myrko and partner Marianne have employed a soil first approach, working meticulously in the vines without any chemical inputs. They now producing some of the most exciting wines in their region.

Most of the vines are Grenache, planted on clay-limestone soils and aided by moderating breezes that blowing through the valley. There are also old vine Carignan from 1962, planted on the estate’s more sandstone and flint dominant plots. In the Autumn, nitrogen fixing cover crops (rye, phacelia, barley, oats, vetch, radish) are sown between the rows. Sheep from the neighbouring farm also graze, their manure being used to improve the soils and vine health. The only inputs are manure treatments, various herbal teas from thyme, bay leaf and rosemary and minimal amounts of copper and sulfur.

Vinification of the ‘Daï’ rosé is by direct press of whole clusters with wild fermentation in concrete vats before 6 months of ageing. Nothing is added except a very small amount of sulphite at bottling. The reds are vinified in a combination of concrete and 600 litre barrels before aging in old wood for 12 to 18 months.