MMI

Moon Minimal Intervention (MMI) is a term created by Domaine Select Wine Estates. MMI defines a distinct set of philosophically aligned producers that takes its name from the key principles that determine the course of their winemaking and viticultural practices.

[moonminimalintervention]

MMI producers are united in their belief in the following principles, regardless of any certifications that they may hold or any organizations to which they may belong: 

1. Devotion to the creation of a habitat that maximizes life forces on their estate and within their territory. 

2. Adoption of ancient practices that enable the laws of nature to produce vibrant and vital wines that represent true diversity. 

3. An artistic approach to farming and winemaking that permeates all aspects of life. 

[moonminimalintervention]

The Rotenberg is located on the north hillside of the Grand Cru HENGST. 

[moonminimalintervention]

Josmeyer

Situated in Wintzenheim, Josmyer is spread among over 42 separate vineyard parcels of the Haut-Rhin such as Drachenloch, Herrenweg, Rotenberg and the grand cru sites of Hengst and Brand. Josmeyer was founded by Aloyse Meyer who helped to build a reputation of quality for the best local sites including the Hengst and Brand vineyards. The generations that have followed have continued to ardently promote quality wines and increase the esteem of this family run estate to its current position among the top echelon of Alsace producers. In the late nineties Christophe Ehrhart fully converted the vineyards to organic and bio-dynamic viticulture. He believes that working in harmony with the sky, earth and the vines produces superb grapes which, in turn, give birth to balanced wines with distinctive personalities.

[moonminimalintervention]

[moonminimalintervention]

Zarate

Zarate is a family-owned estate located in the Village of Meano, found in the heart of the Salnez Valley, which is a part of the Spanish Rias-Baixas Denominacion de Origen. Current owner Eulogio Pomares's sole aim is to naturally farm and care for the old vines. Each parcel is vinified separately; thus displaying the individual terroir in each of the wines. Zarate cultivates seven and a half hectares of land scattered among thirteen distinctive, prime sites within the Salnez valley. Granite soils are the base for century-old, pre-phylloxera vineyards exclusively belonging to the family. At nearly 120 years old, the vineyard El Palomar is the oldest documented vineyard in the Rias Baixas. Care for the environment is the main concern when tending to the vineyards. No fertilizers or herbicides have been added to the soils since 1994. The property obtained full organic certification after the 2006 harvest, as it did completely away with any use of chemical agents and /or pesticides, while at the same point protecting the surrounding flora and fauna.

[moonminimalintervention]

Domaine Emmanuel Giboulot

Situated just outside of Beaune, Emmanuel Giboulot has worked on an organic basis and under biodynamic methods since 1986. The vineyards represent 10 hectares, and are scattered on 12 plots between Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, including the lieu-dits of La Grande Chatelaine and Combe d’Eve. Emmanuel, who took the reins of the estate in 1985, is always in search for quality, integrity, and respect for the natural typicity of the grapes. He uses only natural indigenous yeasts, and the use of SO2 is careful and adapted to each particular wine.

[moonminimalintervention]

Kühling-Gillot

[moonminimalintervention]

Kühling-Gillot

Kühling-Gillot has over 200 years of viticultural history in the town of Bodenheim through both the Kühling and Gillot families. Today, the family has vineyard holdings in some of the most important sites in the Rheinhessen: Sackträger, Pettenthal and Oelberg. For generations, women have run Kuehling-Gillot. This tradition continues today with Carolin Spanier-Gillot who took control of the winery in 2002. The co-founder of the Message in a Bottle association of young winegrowers and an active member of the Vinissima, Carolin is a dynamic winemaker who is full of creativity and energy. She has initiated a program of sustainable agriculture in accordance with biodynamic principals. In 2006, she married Oliver Spanier of BattenfeldSpanier and in 2007 they had their first child. Together, they are comitted to leaving a legacy of healthy soil and great wines.

[moonminimalintervention]

Mittelburgenland, Austria. 

[moonminimalintervention]

Iby

The Iby family, with both immense historical significance and a gleaming future, is one of the premier Blaufränkisch producers in Austria. Since the early 20th century, the Iby family has been cultivating vineyards in the town of Horitschon, and in 1983 Anton and Johanna Iby were among the first growers in Burgenland to establish their own winery. Today Anton M. Iby, the fifth generation, and his father Anton Iby cultivate their old vines at immensely low yields with enviable thought and energy. The direction of the winery is to focus 100% on red wines that express Mittelburgundland’s distinct terroir. Grown in the region’s top vineyards, Dürrau and Hochäcker, their Blaufränkisch is consistently considered one of the top examples from Austria. Iby’s mission is to bring together terroir, power, elegance, and aging potential. Iby’s development and direction towards organic viticulture, paired with old vines, radical yield reductions, and old fashioned handwork in the vineyard, give some of the best representations of the potential of the region.

[moonminimalintervention]

Ales Kristancic 

[moonminimalintervention]

Movia

Lying along the prime strip of land that adjoins the Italian and Slovenian sides of the Collio, the Movia estate has been in existence since the year 1700. It was purchased by the Kristancic family in 1820 and is currently run by the iconic Aleš Kristancic. As a child, working with his father at the winery when he would have preferred to play soccer, Aleš dutifully helped his father transfer wines from barrel to barrel as the new moon rose. Today he passionately implements the rigorous biodynamic principles handed down to him while simultaneously experimenting to produce wines of unprecedented purity and authenticity. His distinct vision stems from the wisdom of eight generations who lived among the vines and in the cellar, coupled with a natural intuition for the relationship between nature, soil, vines, and wine.

[moonminimalintervention]

Jean-Pierre Fleury uses 100% biodynamic practices in every process of winemaking. 

[moonminimalintervention]

Champagne Fleury

Champagne Fleury has been run by the Fleury family for over a century, with each generation contributing to its reputation for innovation. In 1901, Emile Fleury became the first grower in Champagne to replant Pinot Noir after phyloxerra. His son, Robert Fleury, then made the unusual decision to bottle his own champagne in 1929. In the 1970s, Jean-Pierre Fleury became concerned about the effects of chemical agriculture on the environment and began experimenting with manual tilling and composting followed by a trial of biodynamy on 3 hectares of the estate in 1989. Within 3 years he decided to apply those principles to the entirety of his vineyard holdings. In 1993, Gault-Millau elected Jean-Pierre winemaker of the year and the international recognition has continued. Located in the Côtes de Bar in the village of Courteron, the Fleury estate vineyards stretch 15 hectares on both slopes of the Seine valley.

[moonminimalintervention]

Nicolas Joly

Nicolas Joly returned, leaving behind a career in finance, to the fabled Coulée de Serrant in 1977. The celebrated vineyard, which comprises its own appellation, was planted in the 1130s. At first he implemented modern agricultural methods, but afters three years he became troubled by subtle but noticeable alterations in the vineyards. After reading a book on biodynamics that he picked up by chance, he became fascinated by the concept, and embarked on a experimental reconversion of a small area of vineyards. Rapidly convinced by the results, he started to implement biodynamic practices across the estate and has been Demeter and Ecocert certified since 1984. In 2001, he founded “La Renaissance des Appellations/Return to Terroir“ and today the organization boasts 140 producers from around world. He has written many books on the subject, and is widely considered a pioneer and leader of the biodynamic wine movement.

[moonminimalintervention]

Josko Gravner with amphorae. 

[moonminimalintervention]

Gravner Wines

Josko Gravner has been heralded as one of the greatest and most influential winemakers in Friuli and beyond. In his relentless pursuit of perfection, Gravner pioneered stainless steel fermentation and temperature control technology, then experimented with barrique fermentation producing wines that were quickly celebrated and imitated, before eschewing technology and chemicals to pursue strictly natural winemaking. Currently, the Gravner wines are fermented and aged in underground Georgian clay amphorae.