Pinot Noir Libre comme l'air 2019 - Catherine Riss

Catherine Riss

Natural Wines from Alsace

Catherine Riss is one of the rising stars on the Alsace wine scene. Daughter of a restaurant owner, she trained under Michel Chapoutier (who is originally from the Rhône Valley but has an estate in Reichsfeld, in Alsace), the famed Jean-Louis Trapet (a master of Burgundy wines) and Lucas Rieffel, another famous local winemaker. She met the latter thanks to her friend Antoine Kreydenweiss, in 2012.

In 2014, Catherine bought a 3 hectares parcel of vineyard, on the commune of Mittelbergheim, thus becoming independent. In her estate, she immediately chose to go full organic agriculture, with a AB certification she earned in 2015. It was clear as day for her, since she worked with many people considered to be pioneers in natural Alsace wine, like Patrick Meyer, Jean-Pierre Rietsch, Ludovic Rohrer or André Kleinknecht.

The Domaine Catherine Riss has a very limited output. She follows the biodynamic principles to the letter, with the help of her friend Antoine. Lucas Rieffel lends her a hand for the vinification process. Riss' cuvées are full of humor and play on French words, like her "De Grès ou de Force" and "T'as pas du Schiste" ones. She collaborates with Julien Kuntz, an artist based in Colmar who designs all the labels for her bottles.

Check out the natural wines from Catherine Riss.