Owner
Peio Espil
Winemaker
Peio Espil took over the family domaine in 1988 after working at La Tour Blanche(Sauternes) and Domaine Cauhapé (Jurançon).
Appellation
Irouleguy AOC
Distribution Area
Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania
Varieties
Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Courbu, Petit Manseng, Tannat
Vineyard
Irouleguy, a small appellation located in the Basque foothills of the Pyrenées in the extreme southwest corner of France, has long been dominated by the cooperative, producing 85% of the wine of the 175 hectare appellation. Over the past decade, a number of vingerons have left the co-op to produce their own wine. Today, there are 11 independent vignerons in Irouleguy. Domaine Ilarria has 10 hectares near the village of Irouleguy, less than 10 km from the border with Spain. The vines are mostly 20-40 years old, though some vines have reached 60 years of age. With most of the vineyards on very steep gradients of up to 60%, everything must be done by hand in these vineyards.
Farming
Organic
About Domaine Ilarria
Situated in the heart of the village of Irouleguy, this domaine has been in Peio Espil’s family for several centuries. Singularity and identity are not empty words in the Basque country. Working the vineyards in organic viticulture, certified for 15 years, reinforces the expression of the terroirs and the local varietals. This “rootedness” shows itself to be anyting but static for Peio Espil, this pilgrim of the vinous ideal, a true researcher of the appellation. Fleshy, profound, free in their expression, the wines have now attained a level of quality which make them stylistic models which should cause vignerons from outside of Irouleguy to question themselves.
2 Commerce Dr. Suite 3 Moorestown, NJ 08057
Office 800.245.0184
Fax 856.985.5848
