Vergisson without question is the vinous capital for quality in the M\u00e2connais, and it\u2019s here where Eric\u2019s family first planted vines on the fossil-rich slopes of the \u201crock\u201d of Vergisson, that was once a prehistoric coral reef (back when this part of France was a vast sea.) From the start, however, Eric didn\u2019t just rest on family traditions but decided to train with the best \u2013 which brought him to the Guffens-Heynen cellar door.<\/p>\n
Fast-forward to the early 2000s and Eric was already making a name for himself at his own domaine, with wines chock-full of limestone energy and ripe, racy fruit \u2013 white Burgundy that was heads and tails above even some of the more hallowed bottles from the C\u00f4te d\u2019Or. Today he\u2019s expanded his vineyard holdings, dialed in his biodynamic focus in the fields and is crafting wines that are simply better than ever.<\/p>\n
We can be forgiven for repeating ourselves endlessly, but it\u2019s true \u2013 the top talents of the M\u00e2connais (such as\u00a0Daniel Barraud<\/a>, another North Berkeley long-time partner) craft white Burgundy wines that still represent extraordinary value given their top-notch quality. Eric Forest is a serious star in this high-altitude region, and his wines deserve a spot in every serious Burgundy cellar.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ padding_mobile=”off” make_equal=”on” admin_label=”row” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”89%” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”89%” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”5%|5%|5%|5%” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#d46d32″ use_border_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n FARMING & WINEMAKING<\/strong><\/p>\n Surrounded by the imposing cliffs of Solutr\u00e9 and Vergisson, the estate is located in the limestone-rich valley of Vergisson. Many of Eric Forest\u2019s vineyard holdings have been passed down through his Vergisson-based family for eight generations. With some 20 acres today, Forest produces wines from the appellations of Pouilly-Fuiss\u00e9, Saint-V\u00e9ran and M\u00e2con-Vergisson. Most vines were planted between 1930 and 1979.<\/p>\n Vines are cared for sustainably and according to both organic and biodynamic methods, as much as seasonal conditions allow\u2014much of Forest\u2019s current viticultural practices were inspired by his grandfather, who was an early adopter of biodynamics in the vineyards. All work is performed by hand.<\/p>\n Grapes are harvested and fermented in mostly older French oak barrels. Wines are aged in barrel from 10 to 15 months on fine lees. Bottling happens via gravity with very low addition of sulfites, and generally no filtration.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”WHITE WINES” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”|on|||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”16″ background_color=”#d46d32″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”2%|5%|2%|5%” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]WHITE WINES From one of the highest-altitude plots in the region come a riveting, fresh Burgundian Chardonnay with grace and amplitude in equal measure. Waves of citrus fruit mix with a white peachy intensity that is just too good.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=” M\u00e2con-Pierreclos ‘Le Clos des Charmes'” admin_label=” M\u00e2con-Pierreclos ‘Le Clos des Charmes'” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ title_font=”|on|||” title_font_size=”14″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”|5%||5%” use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A unique, south-facing vineyard in which a majority of vines are 100 years old or older, ‘Le Clos des Charmes’ is more than charming; it’s a piece of both Vergisson history and Forest family lore. As a monopole (a vineyard owned by just one tenant), ‘Le Clos’ holds a special place in Forest’s portfolio. A rich, vibrant and textured white Burgundy wine.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Saint-V\u00e9ran ‘Terre Noire'” admin_label=”Saint-V\u00e9ran ‘Terre Noire'” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ title_font=”|on|||” title_font_size=”14″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”|5%||5%” use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The “black earth” of ‘Terre Noire’ is a thin layer of dark clay that hides terroir treasure underneath: the pure, fossil-rich limestone “mother rock” of Vergisson. These poor, mineral soils make a vine work hard for its nutrients, resulting in bunches with very small berries, which gives a wine of incredible concentration and depth. Here too 100-year-old vines enjoy a full southern exposure, at altitude.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Saint-V\u00e9ran ‘Cuv\u00e9e Unique'” admin_label=”Saint-V\u00e9ran ‘Cuv\u00e9e Unique'” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ title_font=”|on|||” title_font_size=”14″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”|5%||5%” use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Exceptionally in the 2021 vintage, winemaker Eric Forest combined fruit from his two Saint-V\u00e9ran plots, ‘Terre Noire’ and ‘La Renomm\u00e9e,’ for this special wine. (Yields were so low that crafting separate cuvees was not practical.) Here we have the best of both worlds, the cool, mineral energy of ‘Terre Noire’ and the sunny texture and volume of ‘Renomm\u00e9e,’ a steeply graded plot that’s a natural extension of ‘Les Crays’ in Pouilly-Fuiss\u00e9.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Pouilly-Fuiss\u00e9 ’24 Carats'” admin_label=”Pouilly-Fuiss\u00e9 ’24 Carats'” _builder_version=”4.26.0″ title_font=”|on|||” title_font_size=”14″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”|5%||5%” use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A special selection crafted only in the best vintages, ’24 Carats’ is truly a golden wine, with a dazzle and a luxuriousness that is more than worth its weight. Winemaker Eric Forest selects the most expressive barrels of wine from both Pouilly-Fuiss\u00e9 ‘La Roche’ and Pouilly-Fuiss\u00e9 ‘Les Crays’ for this delightful blend.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Pouilly-Fuiss\u00e9 ‘L’\u00c2ME Forest'” admin_label=”Pouilly-Fuiss\u00e9 ‘\u00c2ME Forest'” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ title_font=”|on|||” title_font_size=”14″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”|5%||5%” use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The “soul” of Forest is a blend of four different vineyards, some of the estate’s coolest terroirs, facing east and north. The vineyard ‘La Cote,’ Forest says, gives the wine its ample structure and spiced character; ‘Tilliers’ and ‘Le Bois Rosier,’ with their clay-limestone soils, offer finesse and notes of citrus and stone fruits. The very old vines of ‘Carmentrants’ deliver depth and richness to this very soulful white Burgundy. Three generations in succession (Eric, his father and his grandfather) have tilled these soils and harvested Chardonnay grapes from these family plots.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Pouilly-Fuiss\u00e9 ‘Haut de la Roche'” admin_label=”Pouilly-Fuiss\u00e9 ‘Haut de la Roche'” _builder_version=”4.26.0″ title_font=”|on|||” title_font_size=”14″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”|5%||5%” use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Certainly the most treasured vineyard in Pouilly-Fuiss\u00e9, ‘La Roche’ as of the 2020 vintage was raised to premier cru status. Yet the very tip-top of this plot, its highest point in altitude (about five hectares’ worth) was excluded, as authorities thought it was just too high to craft a quality wine. No surprise that winemaker Eric Forest disagrees, and the proof is in this expressive bottle from the “haut” of ‘La Roche.’ Nervous, energetic citrus fruit combines with a plush intensity on the palate that jumps over premier cru quality and goes straight for grand cru.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Pouilly-Fuiss\u00e9 1er Cru ‘Les Crays'” admin_label=”Pouilly-Fuiss\u00e9 1er Cru ‘Les Crays'” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ title_font=”|on|||” title_font_size=”14″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”|5%||5%” use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The legend of ‘Les Crays’ hardly needs to be reintroduced; one of Pouilly-Fuiss\u00e9’s most noble terroirs (and raised to premier cru status as of the 2020 vintage), ‘Les Crays’ faces full south on the “rock” of Vergisson, on decomposed limestone soils. ‘Les Crays’ at its best is both rich and refined at once, with bracing acidity and succulent white fruit. It’s a treasure for the cellar and will outpace many a Cote d’Or bottle without breaking a sweat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Petite Arvine de Fully – Les Raffos” admin_label=”Petite Arvine de Fully – Les Raffos” _builder_version=”4.26.0″ title_font=”|on|||” title_font_size=”14″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”|5%||5%” use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A very special, very limited release of Petite Arvine, a native grape to the Valais in Switzerland and a pet project (and labor of love) for winemaker Eric Forest. Eric’s family used to vacation in the Valais, where his father would collect and bring home many bottles of the region’s expressive wines — and Eric quickly was enchanted with their unique flavors. Not so many years ago, Eric met a local grower from the village of Fully who tends a small parcel of massal selection Petite Arvine vines organically; and a partnership was made. Grapes are grown and harvested and then vinified in underground caves in Fully, in barrels that used to hold Eric’s Pouilly-Fuiss\u00e9 ‘Les Crays’ wines, and which he brings to Fully himself. Here the high-altitude vibrancy of the Valais’ native flavors meets the broad, supple texture of white Burgundy from the M\u00e2connais! A delicate wine in its aromas, very expressive in its flavors of citrus marmalade, cardamom and wild mountain herbs.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Pouilly-Fuiss\u00e9 ‘L’Optimum des Hauts de Crays'” admin_label=”Pouilly-Fuiss\u00e9 ‘L’Optimum des Hauts de Crays'” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ title_font=”|on|||” title_font_size=”14″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”|5%||5%” use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A spectacular and special wine inspired by the extraordinary conditions of the 2018 vintage. Winemaker Eric Forest selected fruit from his oldest vines in ‘Les Crays’ to hang on the vine three extra weeks after the harvest; cool winds allowed the grapes to dry a bit, concentrating sugars and flavors. Aged one year in 60% new French oak barrels and then another year in terracotta amphora (then another two-plus years in bottle), ‘L’Optimum’ is a succulent treasure, a heady white Burgundy with stunning concentration in aroma and flavor. Very rare!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”#9db155″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”5%|5%|5%|5%” hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Established:<\/strong> 2000 (yet eighth-generation grower from Vergisson) PRACTICING BIODYNAMIC<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”5px” hide_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.northberkeleyimports.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/France_Burgundy_Forest.jpg” alt=”Domaine Eric Forest Maconnais North Berkeley Imports” title_text=”France_Burgundy_Forest” show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Map” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” animation_duration=”500ms” animation_intensity_slide=”10%” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” animation=”right” sticky=”on” always_center_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ custom_padding_phone=”” transparent_background=”off” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row padding_mobile=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”row” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#ffffff” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”89%” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”89%” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”| || ” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ text_font=”|on||on|” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”16″ background_color=”#d46d32″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”2%||2%|2%” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#d46d32″ border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n More producers from the M\u00e2connais… [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_portfolio fullwidth=”off” posts_number=”100″ include_categories=”39″ show_categories=”off” show_pagination=”off” zoom_icon_color=”#d46d32″ hover_icon=”||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.16″ title_font_size=”14″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_portfolio][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ custom_padding_phone=”” transparent_background=”off” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_module=”2203″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_menu menu_id=”104″ submenu_direction=”downwards” fullwidth_menu=”off” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ menu_font_size=”22″ menu_line_height=”1.5em” background_color=”#d46d32″ text_orientation=”center” background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_fullwidth_menu][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Eric Forest is one of the top names in Vergisson today. Heir to eight generations of family talent and trained early by local legend Jean-Marie Guffens, Eric\u2019s wines are shining examples of the potential and serious pleasure of white Burgundy from the M\u00e2connais. Vergisson without question is the vinous capital for quality in the M\u00e2connais, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8837,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"project_category":[39,4,3],"project_tag":[],"class_list":["post-8829","project","type-project","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","project_category-burgundy-maconnais","project_category-france","project_category-portfolio"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.northberkeleyimports.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project\/8829","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.northberkeleyimports.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.northberkeleyimports.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/project"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.northberkeleyimports.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.northberkeleyimports.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8829"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/www.northberkeleyimports.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project\/8829\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11865,"href":"https:\/\/www.northberkeleyimports.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project\/8829\/revisions\/11865"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.northberkeleyimports.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8837"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.northberkeleyimports.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8829"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"project_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.northberkeleyimports.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project_category?post=8829"},{"taxonomy":"project_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.northberkeleyimports.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project_tag?post=8829"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=” M\u00e2con-Vergisson ‘La Roche'” admin_label=” M\u00e2con-Vergisson ‘La Roche'” _builder_version=”4.26.0″ title_font=”|on|||” title_font_size=”14″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”|5%||5%” use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\n
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Winemaker:<\/strong> Eric Forest
Region:<\/strong> France\u00a0\u2022 Burgundy \u2022\u00a0M\u00e2connais\u00a0 \u2022 Vergisson
Vineyard size:<\/strong> 20 acres<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\n