Olivier Rivière

Olivier Rivière, a native of Cognac, studied enology in Montagne St-Emilion (Bordeaux region). He worked briefly with Elian Da Ros in Côtes-du-Marmandais, then at Domaine Leroy in Vosne-Romanée. His main interest there was to learn about biodynamic methods. He went on to Domaine de Chassorney in St-Romain to see how unsulfited wines are made, then spent two years managing the now defunct Domaine de la Combe in Pommard.

Olivier’s dream was to start his own estate in Fitou (South West of France). That did not happen because Olivier did not have enough money to invest. S in 2004 Olivier took a job with an estate in Rioja Alavesa to convert its vines into biodynamic culture. This was not a happy experience, but Olivier decided to stay in Rioja and started looking for vines tended organically, with the goal to buy grapes. He found a grower in the tiny village of Cárdenas and bought and vinified his grapes. He was able to rent a 1.20ha plot from another person, and had his first harvest in 2006.

Today Olivier owns about 3 hectares of vineyards in Spain. Thanks to his care and attention to quality, Olivier has managed to make himself a name on the export market within a few years.