Quercus Alta

Quercus Alta is a young winery located on the La Mondette estate, on the outskirts of the Dordogne region, near Saint-Émilion and Bordeaux. Born out of a desire to create wines on a human scale, the estate champions an artisanal approach to viticulture, based on respect for living organisms, precision, and the pursuit of fresh, balanced, and authentic wines.

The driving force behind the project, Baptiste—a trained oenologist—forged his career path without relying on a family winemaking heritage. After studying viticulture and oenology, he gained valuable experience working at wineries in France and abroad, notably in Italy, Chile, and Greece. These diverse experiences now shape his vision of wine: to observe, understand, and work with the raw material rather than seeking to transform it.

A 3.5-hectare vineyard in the heart of nature

The Quercus Alta vineyards cover approximately 3.5 hectares within the La Mondette estate. About 20 years old, they are situated in a pristine environment consisting of vineyards, meadows, and wetlands, near the Dordogne River.

The vineyard is situated on loamy and sandy soils formed from ancient alluvial deposits. These porous, naturally well-drained soils allow the vines to retain a lovely freshness, which is particularly valuable in the current context of global warming. The estate’s wines thus aim for a taut and balanced expression, with freshness and vitality.

Organic viticulture focused on biodiversity

Quercus Alta has been committed to organic farming since 2018 and is now certified organic. Work in the vineyard is done entirely by hand and is part of an effort to preserve soil life and the vineyard’s natural balance as much as possible.

Natural grass growth is encouraged, and mechanical interventions are carried out in a judicious manner. On certain more challenging plots, the estate may also use horse-drawn plowing. Yields are deliberately limited in order to concentrate the vine’s energy and achieve greater precision in the grapes.

This approach is expected to gradually evolve toward biodynamic farming, with the goal of completing the transition by 2030. The aim is to further enhance soil vitality and work in harmony with the vine’s natural rhythms.

Guide the wine rather than transform it

In the winery, Quercus Alta favors a hands-off approach. For Baptiste, winemaking should, above all, bring out the quality and identity of the grapes. The goal is to preserve the freshness, fruitiness, and natural balance of the wines rather than striving for a standardized style.

This philosophy is particularly evident in the winemaking processes for Chorus and Ether. Chorus, a 100% Merlot red “ Vin de France ,” is vinified naturally, without fining or filtration and with a low dose of sulfur. It is aged in tanks to preserve its fruitiness and its fresh, easy-drinking character. Ether, the estate’s rosé, blends Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with part of the batch vinified using the saignée method and part by direct pressing, followed by four months of aging on fine lees.

Exclusive vintages

Quercus Alta has chosen to produce small quantities in order to devote special attention to every stage, from the vineyard to the bottle. This small scale allows the estate to take the time to observe, experiment, and refine each vintage.

The estate’s first vintages, Chorus and Ether, embody this quest for a different kind of Bordeaux: organic, accessible, and well-defined wines that emphasize freshness and drinking pleasure.

Chorus 2024 is a fruity, silky, and light Merlot with notes of red and black fruits and a hint of floral aromas. Ether 2024 is a more structured rosé, where the richness of Merlot meets the freshness of Cabernet Sauvignon, with a delicately tannic finish and notes of peach and apricot.

An estate designed around sharing

For Quercus Alta, wine doesn’t end with the bottle. The estate also offers educational programs focused on wine tasting, viticulture, and oenology. Workshops allow both enthusiasts and professionals to explore wine tasting, blending, winemaking, and even wine defects.

This commitment to sharing knowledge is an integral part of the estate’s identity: making wine more accessible, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities for discussion centered on its wines.

Quercus Alta thus champions a contemporary vision of Bordeaux wine: limited production, organic viticulture, a special focus on the soil and biodiversity, and meticulous winemaking practices that seek above all to let the terroir speak for itself. These are lively, approachable wines, designed as much for curious wine enthusiasts as for those who wish to discover another facet of the Bordeaux region.