Hailing from the UK, Daisy Merrick stepped into the wine world via the hospitality industry. A keen interest and love of wine led her to WSET studies, followed by work in London and New York. In Berlin she founded the natural wine import company ‘Soma Vines’ which has now, with her partner Antoine, evolved into their own wine production. With a cellar in Hackenhein the couple are establishing themselves as négoce winemakers, having been fortunate to have friends with an excess of grapes available for purchase. This gives them the opportunity to work with a number of different grape varieties on various soil types. Over the years, Daisy and Antoine have discovered their favourite terroirs along with which grape varieties and soils compliment each other. Working as a négoce winemaker comes with its own challenges: in years where there are not enough grapes the search intensifies, stretching further afield through sheer necessity, and a reliance on friends, word of mouth and community is key. From this year, Daisy and Antoine will rent 2 hectares from a friend in Rheinland-Pfalz, with the plan to expand by cultivating their own parcel of grapes, while maintaining the quality and elegance of their wines.
The grapes for this wine were picked in early September 2022; 100% Pinot Gris from Weingut Achenbach in Neu Bamberg (Rheinhessen), a 20 year old vineyard with sandstone soil. The whole bunches were macerated for 10 days and given plenty of remontage, before ageing in a used oak, 1200 litre barrel. A structured wine with finesse and a slightly carbonic feel that keeps it upbeat and fresh. Enjoy chilled.