En Abondance 2024 - Martin Lapalus

En Abondance - Martin Lapalus

En Abondance by Martin Lapalus is an artisanal white wine that authentically captures the freest and most contemporary spirit of the Rhône Valley. Produced in extremely limited quantities, just 1,500 bottles in the 2024 vintage, it is made from an equal blend of Marsanne and Roussanne, two of the most iconic white grape varieties of the southern and northern Rhône, capable of expressing structure, aromatic depth, and a strong territorial personality. The grapes come from approximately 0.30 hectares of organically farmed vineyards, located at 350 meters above sea level on limestone soils in the municipality of Gras, in the Ardèche. The name of the village itself inspired the producer to choose the name "En Abondance," a French expression meaning "in abundance," an ironic and poetic reference to the wine's rich texture and generosity. The vines, with an average age of approximately 30 years, are harvested manually during the first week of September, preserving the integrity and quality of each bunch. Martin Lapalus's production philosophy is based on a minimalist and profoundly artisanal approach. During vinification, all the grapes are pressed together: the free-run must ferments spontaneously and ages in wooden barrels, while the pressed must ferments and ages in steel tanks. This dual approach allows for a natural balance between tension, volume, and aromatic complexity. The overall maturation lasts 12 months, without fining or filtration, to maximize the wine's expressiveness and the purity of its fruit. Sulfur dioxide is kept to a minimum, with just 2 mg/l of added SO2. In the glass, En Abondance expresses all the energy of a natural Rhône wine: intense aromas of yellow fruit, ripe citrus, Mediterranean herbs, and light floral notes intertwine with a broad, saline, and vibrant palate, characterized by an enveloping texture and extraordinary drinkability. A gastronomic and distinctive white, ideal for those seeking authentic French natural wines, produced through spontaneous fermentation and without invasive cellar interventions. Perfect paired with Mediterranean cuisine, flavorful fish, soft cheeses, and rich vegetarian dishes, En Abondance perfectly represents the new generation of artisan winemakers from the Rhone Valley: vibrant, territorial, and profoundly human wines, capable of expressing every nuance of the vineyard and manual labor.

Service

We recommend to taste it at a temperature of 6/8° in tulip glasses. Wine to be drunk immediately but left in the cellar for a few years can give great emotions.

Pairing

Throughout the meal, it goes well with mixed seafood with raw prawns and scampi, vegetable risotto, vegetable-based creams, dishes with not too aromatic cheeses.

Winery:  Martin Lapalus

In the heart of the Rhône Valley, the project of Martin Lapalus was born — a young French winemaker who, in just a few years, has captured the attention of lovers of artisanal and natural wine. After two years of training in the wine industry through an apprenticeship, Martin decided to broaden his experience by working in several wineries across the Rhône Valley before traveling to New Zealand, where he further refined his approach to viticulture and winemaking. His professional journey then continued with a significant two-year experience at Domaine Marcel Deiss, one of the benchmark estates for terroir-driven and naturally made wines in Alsace. The turning point came in 2023, the year that marked the official launch of his own project. Thanks to an opportunity offered by his uncle to purchase Syrah grapes from Crozes-Hermitage, Martin was finally able to give concrete form to his vision of wine: authentic, convivial, and expressive bottles made without additives — or with as little intervention as possible — through spontaneous fermentations with indigenous yeasts and handcrafted winemaking carried out using simple, reclaimed equipment such as a traditional ratchet press and second-hand tools. Yet the Syrah from Crozes-Hermitage alone was not enough to satisfy his desire to experiment. Through a carefully built network of contacts, he found additional grape suppliers in southern Ardèche, sourcing Syrah, Grenache, Marsanne, and Roussanne — emblematic grape varieties of the Rhône Valley. The result is a range of artisanal wines defined by freshness, energy, and purity of fruit, crafted through a minimalist philosophy designed to preserve the true identity of both grape and terroir. Martin often describes his work as a commitment to “taking care of every single bunch of grapes.” The 2023 vintage therefore became his very first official release. Today, production stands at around 8,000 bottles per year — a deliberately limited scale that allows him to maintain a fully artisanal approach and direct control over every stage of production. Alongside his personal project, Martin also works as vineyard manager for an estate located between Saint-Péray and Cornas, continuing to deepen his understanding of the great terroirs of the Northern Rhône. Martin’s ultimate goal, however, is to oversee the entire process from vineyard to bottle through estate-owned vines. That ambition began to take shape in 2026 with the purchase of his first parcel: 1.13 hectares in the Saint-Joseph appellation, which he considers “one of the finest in the entire Rhône Valley.” A milestone that further confirms his commitment to building a winery rooted in terroir, sustainability, and the authentic spirit of French natural wine.