ETIENNE COURTOIS LES CAILLOUX DU PARADIS SOLOGNE

Natural wine pioneer Claude Courtois started his adventure more than two decades ago in Sologne, where he rediscovered the way to "original" nature. His estate, "les cailloux du paradis" (literally "the stones of paradise"), is a stronghold of this philosophy.

Although he does not consider himself a biodynamic grower, Courtois has developed a 13-hectare farm in the centre of the VDP Sologne that is a prime example of self-sufficiency and biodiversity. By cultivating vines next to trees, fruit trees, woodlands, and fields, he creates a balanced ecology without the need of chemicals. His techniques guarantee that neither synthetic chemicals nor pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or other chemicals come into contact with his soil or vines. Instead, by using his own methods, he encourages soil vitality and a variety of life forms within it.