Mirabeau launches first estate-grown rosé

British backed Provence rosé brand Mirabeau has released its first estate-grown pink called La Réserve from Domaine Mirabeau, its 20-hectare property in Côtes de Provence.

La Réserve hails from the 20ha organically farmed vineyard owners Stephen and Jeany Cronk purchased in 2019 near La Garde-Freinet, in the commune of the Golfe de Saint-Tropez, which includes 14ha of vines.

Made from a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and a touch of Rolle, the lees-stirred pink is partially matured in lightly toasted 400l French oak barrels.

According to the Cronks, the rosé offers notes of “green tea, flambéed banana, chamomile, yellow peach, candied apricot and freesia”, which “harmonise with notes of brioche and orange zest”.

On the palate the pink has “beautifully integrated acidity and a slightly smoky finish with notes of dried apricot and a subtle saline note”.

The pink is said to pair well with vegetarian dishes, seafood and creamy cheeses, and can also stand up to spice.

Priced at £25.99 a bottle, the label, designed by Jeany, is made from discarded grape skins and features a crest of Provençal flora and fauna.

Half of all profits generated through sales of La Réserve will be donated to the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation.

Inspired by the work of botanist and ecologist Mimi Casteel of Hope Well Wine vineyard in Oregon, Stephen and Jeany are keen to move beyond organic farming practices to a holistic regenerative agricultural approach to regenerate their soils and increase biodiversity.

Their goal is to transition away from monoculture in agriculture and to put soil health at the centre of their work in the vineyard.

“After ten years into our Mirabeau adventure, Jeany and I found a property that stole our hearts the second we drove through the old iron gate. A little gem, nestled in the nature reserve of the Maures Mountains, it has given us a place to challenge ourselves and to work more experimentally in a symbiotic way.

“Our priority was to re-establish a farming system that was in tune with its extraordinary surroundings and to naturally enrich the soil and bring biodiversity into the vineyard through regenerative agriculture,” Stephen Cronk said.

“La Réserve is a limited production cuvée from our first year of fully embracing these principles, while also working on a wine that is expressive, with a gentle oak component. A sumptuous Grenache-forward blend, this wine will take to a little ageing with grace,” he added.

The estate boasts mineral-rich sand and schist soils. Since arriving in 2019 the Cronks have introduced bees, alpacas, pigs, chickens and sheep to fertilise the land and help increase biodiversity. They have also planted 100 trees and are moving from low-plough to no-plough.

The ultimate goal is for the vineyard to create its own dynamic ecosystem, with microbes and fungi breaking down nutrients for the vines, and the sheep providing the fertiliser.