Elian Da Ros

Southwest / France

At A Glance

Winemaker(s)

Élian Da Ros

Appellation

Côtes du Marmandais

Varieties

Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Semillon, Abouriou, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Malbec

Farming

Biodynamic

Their Story

“Elian Da Ros is the hidden gem in our family of producers. Elian and his wife, Sandrine, have created a phenomenal domaine in the Côtes du Marmandais.”

Elian Da Ros is beloved in Marmandais for displaying elegance and finesse while working with grape varieties famous for masculinity and strength. Elian has taken a more Burgundian approach in his winemaking and a gentle approach in his vineyards. Before creating his domaine and becoming the first vigneron in the Côtes du Marmandais in 1998, Elian Da Ros spent five years working with Domaine Zind-Humbrecht in Alsace. He returned to the Côtes du Marmandais with the gift of 5 hectares of vines passed on to him by his father. Like the rest of the Marmandais, Elian’s father sold all his fruit to local co-ops. Elian decided it was time for a change. He began bottling his family’s wines under his name. It was at this time that Elian Da Ros became the pioneer of the Marmandais. Elian and Sandrine now farm 22 hectares biodynamically. Their vineyards are immaculate.

Mid Post Image
Elian Da Ros was the first winemaker to produce and bottle his own wine under the Côtes du Marmandais appellation.

Elian treats each of his parcels separately. His yields are low; typically between 20 to 35 hl/ha. Focused on creating wines Burgundian in style, there is a finesse to Elian’s work. He de-stems all his fruit believing the grapes naturally provide the texture, depth, and spice he is looking for. Elian also aims to display the two primary soil types of his area: argilo-calcaire (clay-limestone) and argilo-graveleux (clay-rocky pebble). He only uses native yeast fermentation and vinifies each parcel and grape variety separately. His wines experience extended elevage as he experiments with a variety of vinification and aging vessels including tank, oak barrels, foudre, and concrete egg tanks. During our visit, we were most impressed with their amphora called “Drunk Turtle.” The Amphora is over 8 feet tall and is made from a mix of concrete, clay, and sand. Elian uses the “Drunk Turtle” for his white wines.

Current Releases

Interview with Vigneron Elian Da Ros

Where were you born and raised? I was born in the South West of France in Marmande, I grew up in Cocumont. I left Cocumont for 10 years for my studies and my professional experience. I came back home to develop my project to make wine, here in the Côtes du Marmandais appellation which is unrecognized but I’ve always been deeply convinced of its potential by the quality of the terroirs, the grapes varieties, the varied and hilly landscapes that make it a preserved and privileged environment. If you could briefly describe your approach in the vineyard what would it be? Our agricultural approach is agronomic; Biological and biodynamic. The fundamentals are agronomic, it is the “farmer common sense" as we say. Biology for its protection of the environment, of women and men who cultivate, who make wine and who drink it. Biodynamics for the supplement of soul that it brings to the grapes and the wines and for the philosophical approach of global reflection that brings us. What excites you most about your vineyards? The different terroirs, the grape varieties, the exposure and the landscapes that make it a multifaceted patchwork which is the image of the different cuvées that are produced here. If you could say one thing to the sommeliers who are introducing people to your wines for the first time, what would it be? Do not stop at the label, taste it! What is your favorite type of music? 70’s Rock music but I also like listening to Jazz and Malher depending on my mood and the moment. If you could have any superhero power, what would you choose? For the professional part, I would like to have the capacity to control the weather!!! However, I would especially like to appease human hatred and violence. Visit Elian Da Ros Website