image courtesy of wineterroirs

Babass was born in Anjou & has always worked in these vineyards of the southern part of Anjou. He quit traditional high school when he was 16 to agricultural studies. In 1995/1996 he went to Montreuil-Bellay (one of the top viticulture schools in the Loire valley) to complete a 10 months course on viticulture & vinification. 2000-2010 he created with Patrick Desplats Domaine des Griottes - Babass was mostly in the vineyards, Pat in the cellar. In 2011, les vignes de babass was born when they separated, mostly because Pat didn’t want to plow any more (Babass plows with his horse).

From Small Wine Shop: “Babass’s three hectares of organic vineyards were first planted in the 1950s and 60s by the late Joseph and the sisters Hacquet. Hacquet was a pioneer of natural wine. Not only did Hacquet farm organically, but he also avoided the use of any additives and produced more than fifty vintages with no added SO2. Babass has continued that non-conformist winemaking style today. He makes wines forged by the climate of the vintage, the terroir, the grape variety, and his decisions (good or bad). Babass grows Grolleau, Cabernet Franc, Gamay, and Chenin Blanc with both organic and biodynamic preparations. The harvest is done by hand with multiple passes through the vineyard.”