"From here to there". No, not the name of an untold magnum opus involving hobbits, elves and wizards, but instead the rough translation of this delightful winery located in the AOC Bugey. Young winemakers Florie Brunet and Adrien Bariol established Domaine d’Ici La in 2017, driven by a clear vision to make pristine expressions of wines in an appellation yet to truly make its mark on the wine map.
They farm 6 hectares across three distinct villages in southern Bugey, high in the mountains on the last foothills of the Jura, where the benefit of altitude, steep hillsides and a combination of limestone and clay soils is there to be seen in the native white and red wines.
Focused on transcribing the diversity of the soils of its three plots in Lhuis, Montagnieu and Groslée, there is enormous biodiversity that is enhanced in this mountainous region. Work in the vineyard is done by hand and the grapes are harvested in very small crates to preserve the quality of the fruit as much as possible. The couple practice very slow and very gentle pressing (4 to 5 hours) to obtain healthy juices.
Producing a combination of indigenous varietals (i.e., Mondeuse, Altesse) and some grapes found in more illustrious parts of France, there is a distinct lively, alpine style. As with other wines from Bugey, and the traits of its neighbouring appellations, the combination of altitude and soil give their wines freshness, finesse and great tension.
