Soil Therapy
Region // SOULTZMATT, HAUT-RHIN, ALSACE
Size // 2.5 ha
Viticulture // ORGANIC & BIODYNAMIC (NOT CERTIFIED)
Varieties // SYLVANER, RIESLING, PINOT GRIS, PINOT BLANC, AUXERROIS, GEWURTZTRAMINER, MUSCAT, PINOT NOIR
Winemaker // THOMAS LARMOYER
Established // 2017
Exclusively collaborating with biodynamic organic artisan growers throughout the Alsace region, Thomas and Meardey meticulously handpick plots/vineyards (spanning approximately 2.5 hectares in total) that resonate deeply with them, both in terms of connection and alignment with the growers' philosophy and viticulture practices. Their commitment extends throughout the entire vine life-cycle, diligently monitoring ripening, selecting the optimal harvest date, and meticulously hand-harvesting in small cases.
Soil Therapy is a captivating micro-négociant project driven by a deep love for the exquisite Terroir wines of the Alsace vineyards, meticulously curated by Thomas Larmoyer and his life partner, Meardey Tek.
In their mid-thirties, Thomas and Meardey are spirited enthusiasts, fuelled by their unwavering passion and relentless pursuit of perfection in creating honest, expressive wines that reveal the true essence of their origin. They shun pretense and excess, embracing a sincere approach to winemaking, guided by profound emotions and meaningful experiences.
Remarkably, neither Thomas nor Meardey hail from a wine background, nor have they undergone formal wine training. Driven solely by intuition and ardour, they embarked on their audacious journey in 2017. While bottling their first vintage, Thomas held a full-time sales position at Domaine Ostertag, whilst Meardey worked in admin for a local winery. The allure of Soil Therapy became irresistible, leading them to fully dedicate themselves to the project in 2021. It was in 2020 that they proudly crafted their inaugural vintage at the esteemed winery in Soultzmatt, South Colmar.
Inside the cellar, the majority of grapes undergo a gentle skin maceration lasting 1 or 2 days, followed by a protracted pressing process of 5 to 9 hours. Embracing natural yeasts for fermentation, the wines age gracefully on lees in old French barrels of 228 litres and 500 litres, ranging from 6 to 18 months. Lieux-dits terroirs hold a special place in their hearts, with a desire to extend aging times to an impressive 18 to 24 months for all such cuvées. Rooted in the pursuit of purity, concentration, and the profound expression of the terroir, they are unafraid to declassify a lieu-dit if the wine does not meet their exacting quality standards.
The Alsace region, known for its rich diversity and intricate geology, offers a treasure trove of inspiration for Thomas and Meardey. They endeavour to celebrate this astounding variety of soils, climates, and grape varieties, delivering an ode to Alsace with the illustrious Sylvaner taking centre stage.
As a micro-négociant with micro-cuvées, the Soil Therapy range boasts an enchanting array of approximately 13 distinct cuvées, culminating in a grand total of 15,000 bottles produced each year.
Les vins de Soil Therapy
SHIEFERBERG RIESLING (2021)
Style: White, Dry
Variety: 100% Riesling
Abv: 13%
Region: Alsace
Terroir: "The Hill of Schists," an awe-inspiring terroir nestled in the heart of an intimate valley, boasts steep slopes soaring to heights of 400-450 meters above sea level. Though facing due south, these slopes are cocooned by dense forests and caressed by invigorating breezes flowing from the neighboring Vosges mountains. Anchored by a base of rare Blue Schist, a gem seldom found in Alsace, this terroir crafts wines of remarkable density, unwavering precision, and inherent structure—a vinous embodiment of marathon-like endurance coupled with the graceful poise of a ballerina.
Winemaking: Following a 48-hour maceration period prior to pressing, the wine undergoes vinification and matures for an impressive 18 months, cradled on its lees within barrels aged 5-6 vintages old.
All wines originate from vines cultivated through organic or biodynamic practices and are hand-harvested. Gentle and extended pressings, lasting between 5 and 8 hours, ensure delicate extraction, while fermentation initiates solely through indigenous yeasts, allowing for the purest expression of the vineyard's essence to unfold.
Tasting notes:
Released to the public in late 2023, after an additional six months of bottle aging to refine its character, this wine boasts a limited production of 1200 bottles and 60 magnums, each representing a testament to its terroir's unique expression.
MATERIA REBELLIS (2021)
Style: White, Dry
Variety: 60% Pinot Gris, 40% Sylvaner
Abv: 14%
Region: Alsace
Terroir: Comprising 60% Pinot Gris from the esteemed Frohnberg terroir in Rosenwiller and 40% Sylvaner hailing from the renowned Hohrain plot in Eguisheim, both soils boast an argilo-calcaire composition, enriched by their elevated positions with eastern and northeastern orientations.
Winemaking: Two parcel cuvées, initially never destined to intertwine, yet the capricious nature of fermentation brought them together, yielding a serendipitous union where magic truly unfolded.
Following meticulous vinification, the wine undergoes a profound transformation during its 18-month maturation period, resting gracefully on its lees within 5-6 wine-old barrels, each imparting their own unique essence. Finally, after a further six months of bottle aging to harmonize its complexities, the cuvée is released, marking its debut in the market in late 2023.
Tasting notes:
SUR PEAUX V.3 (non-vintage)
Style: White, Dry
Variety: 55% Gewurz, 35% Sylvaner et 10% Muscat
Abv: 12%
Region: Alsace
Terroir:
Winemaking: "Sur Peaux" embodies Thomas’ interpretation of Alsatian maceration, centered around the illustrious Gewurztraminer grape variety. Approximately half of the blend is composed of Gewurztraminer, complemented by a significant portion of Sylvaner and a subtle touch of Muscat. The key lies in relatively short maceration periods, averaging around ten days, with minimal extraction, cooled by a small portion of direct-pressed must to soften the tannins and bitter notes.
Version 3 of this creation is an amalgamation of the 2021 and 2022 vintages. It comprises Sylvaner from 2021, matured for 18 months in barrels, alongside Gewurztraminer and Muscat from 2022, aged for 6 months in stainless steel tanks, resulting in a harmonious blend that encapsulates the essence of each vintage.
Tasting notes: A high level of finesse in both texture and tannins, aiming for an equilibrium akin to a white wine while enveloping the palate with the nuanced aromatics and delicate tactile sensations reminiscent of lace-like orange wine.
L21A ‘ALSACE’ (2021)
Style: White, Dry
Variety: Sylvaner (40%), Riesling (20%), Auxerrois (15%), Pinot Gris (15%), Gewurztraminer (10%)
Abv: 12.5%
Region: Bas-Rhin
Terroir: All the vineyards are meticulously tended through biodynamic viticulture, planted in clay-limestone and pink sandstone soils (ranging from 20 to 90 years old vines).
Winemaking: This sophisticated "Alsace" blend is crafted from a fusion of five Alsace grape varieties, with Sylvaner taking the lead. Serving as the flagship cuvée of Soil Therapy, this edition saw the production of 3500 bottles in 2021.
Tasting notes: The intensified finish is shaped by the influence of an exquisite Gewürztraminer Grand Cru Zinnkoepfle barrel. Freshness and vibrancy are the prevailing characteristics. The fruit shines with brightness and purity, revealing nuances of fresh almonds and passion fruit, alongside a luxuriously smooth texture. Silky and intense. The length of the experience is remarkable, concluding with an extended sensation of salivation.
This cuvée carries the designation of Vin de France, and intriguingly, the name "Alsace" is transcribed into Braille as a statement against the increasingly intricate production regulations of the AOC.
RITTERSBERG (2021)
Style: White, Dry
Variety: Pinot Blanc (60%), Pinot Gris (40%)
Abv: 13%
Region: Bas-Rhin
Terroir: Granitic soil with silt and sand, sits near the Rittersberg biotope. The local plants and animals benefit from a mild microclimate and are protected. The soil, which goes down a meter, gives the wine a salty feel and a rich texture.
Winemaking: The Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris grapes are both grown in the same 40-year-old biodynamically cultivated plot covering 0.5 hectares. They are harvested together and then spend a few days in contact with the grape skins before being gently pressed and aged in old French barrels (228L and 400L), like Thomas's other wines.
Tasting notes: The aroma and taste go hand in hand - the mineral aspects from the granite come through on the palate, resulting in a smooth and honeyed finish of exceptional quality. Only 1700 bottles were produced in 2021. It's good to drink now and can be enjoyed until 2043.
DORFSCHATZ (2021)
Style: White, Dry
Variety: 100% Gewurztraminer
Abv: 12.5%
Region: Alsace
Terroir: The soils consist of a clay-limestone base. It's a 40-year-old vineyard plot cultivated organically, entirely planted with Gewürztraminer.
Winemaking: The grapes undergo a brief skin maceration, and then it's aged for 11 months in old barrels of 228L and 500L. The result is a concentrated, linear wine with an impressively defined aromatic profile
Tasting notes: A floral explosion! Notes of rose, geranium, and peony emerge. This wine possesses a rare elegance. It's unfined and unfiltered, with a very low sulfur level of <5/30, ensuring the optimal expression of the wine.
A small production of 1200 bottles from a relatively unknown site called Dorfschatz.
KASTELWEG (2021)
Style: White, Dry
Variety: 100% Sylvaner
Abv: 13%
Region: Alsace
Terroir: The grapes hail from the Kastelweg lieu-dit, situated on a marmo-calcareous terroir. Deeply rooted, the vines are around 50 years old, and they are cultivated using organic methods.
Winemaking: A brief two-day skin maceration followed by a long pressing. The 2021 vintage undergoes an elevage of 11 months in old 500L oak barrels. Thomas envisions extending the aging for this cuvée to 18 months in future vintages.
Tasting notes: The nose is saline and potent. The true mineral essence of the wine is palpable and harmoniously expressed on the palate - notes of elderflower, fresh pear, Bosco apples, and hawthorn come forward, creating a rich, precise, and exquisitely refined character. A tribute to the potential of Sylvaner - this stands as a compelling breakthrough in challenging any preconceived notions we might hold about this grape varietal.
This particularly exclusive cuvée is available only in limited allocations. For drinking now to 2043.
PINOT NOIR S+S (2022)
Style: Red
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Abv: 12.5%
Region: Alsace
Terroir:
The luscious grapes are meticulously nurtured within the picturesque confines of two distinct parcels nestled in the idyllic village of Reichsfeld, a stone's throw away from the majestic Schieferberg. These parcels, named Sohlenberg and Siebenweg, perch gracefully upon the undulating hillsides, their verdant vines reaching skyward at an elevation of 400 meters. Embraced by the crisp mountain air, these vineyards boast a unique microclimate characterized by its invigorating freshness and a prolonged ripening period, resulting in grapes of unparalleled quality and complexity.
Winemaking: A twelve day maceration process, during which 30% of the clusters remain whole, infusing the must with a symphony of flavors and aromas. Following this, a slow and gentle pressing ensues, and the resulting juice then embarks on a transformative journey, maturing gracefully for a year in demi-muids and oak barrels, where it is nurtured and refined, acquiring layers of complexity and depth under the watchful eye of Thomas.
Tasting notes:
A production of 1200 bottles and 120 magnums.