Josette y Michel
COUNTRY: France
REGION: Roussillon
Domaine Josette et Michele, established in 2022 in Mont-Roc, Tarn, sits at 600 meters in the Montagne Noire, near the Monts de Lacaune and Haut Languedoc Natural Park. Co-founded by Jeanne and Philippe "Fifi" Essomme, the domaine reflects their diverse experiences in wine.
A long time friend and partner to ZRS, Fifi's journey began in New York, where he opened "The Ten Bells," one of the city's first natural wine bars, in 2008. He later worked as a wine importer in Brooklyn, and distributor across the US. Jeanne, rooted in winemaking since her childhood in Burgundy, brings hands-on experience from harvesting grapes with family and friends.
Currently sourcing all grapes, Jeanne and Fifi are preparing for their first vineyard production planted in March 2023.
“There are few people in this industry that have been on the ground floor as long as Fifi. I can remember vividly going into Ten Bells and trying to sell him wine back in 2008. I think a lot of my early importing had something to do with finding wines that were interesting enough to grab his attention. Since those days Fifi has gone on to open a wine shop, develop an import portfolio, and now, the cycle of life has brought him back to his native France and into the life of the vigneron. We couldn’t be more proud to represent his wines. Much like all the things Fifi has done, these are unexpected and sprinkled with humor. He and his partner are making wine where you should be making blue cheese and they’ve been planting varieties long lost to a forgotten area. ” – Zev
CUVÉES
“Tostaky”
Region: Roussillon
Grape: 50% Grenache, 50% Syrah
Vineyard: grapes purchased from Domaine Guisset, 45 year old vines, granitic sand
Farming: certified biodynamic
Aging: by hand
Winemaking: primeur style, semi-carbonic maceration for 8 days
Aging: 3 weeks in barrel, bottled end of October
Fining: none
Filtration: none
“Ou Tu Voudras, Quand Tu Voudras”
Region: Roussillon
Grape: Syrah
Vineyard:grapes purchased from Domaine Gayrard, 25 year old vines, limestone and clay
Farming:biodynamic, Demeter certified
Aging: by hand
Winemaking: rosé, maceration for 36 hours, fermentation in stainless steel
Aging: 6 months in barrel
Fining: none
Filtration: none
“Le Dire c’est bien, le Fer c’est mieux”
Region: Roussillon
Grape: Fer Servadou,
Vineyard: grapes purchased from Domaine Gayrard, 25 year old vines, limestone and clay
Farming: biodynamic, Demeter certified
Aging: by hand
Winemaking: 30% crushed grapes, whole cluster on top, 11 days of maceration, fermentation in fiberglass
Aging: 8 months 50% stainless steel, 50% barrel and 500L demi-muids
Fining: none
Filtration: none
“So you’re Sicilian”
Region: Roussillon
Grape: 80% Gamay, 20% Fer Servadou
Vineyard:grapes purchased from Domaine Gayrard, 20 year old vines, limestone and clay
Farming:biodynamic, Demeter certified
Aging: by hand
Winemaking: semi-carbonic maceration for 7 days, fermentation in stainless steel vat
Aging: 8 months in barrel
Fining: none
Filtration: none
“Les Coudes sur la Table”
Region: Roussillon
Grape: Gamay
Vineyard: grapes purchased from Maxime Troncy, 20 year old vines, granite
Farming: in conversion
Aging: by hand
Winemaking: 6 day maceration in steel vat
Aging: 8 months in barrel
Fining: none
Filtration: none
