Wines of the Ardeche: Sylvain Bock (FR)

Join us as we crack open a few bottles and explore the wild, juicy and surprisingly elegant world of Sylvain Bock. In the southern Ardèche, France, where limestone meets the remnants of an extinct volcano, Sylvain Bock has been making wines in Alba-la-Romaine since 2010. After working alongside local natural wine legend Gérald Oustric of Le Mazel, Sylvain set out on his own and today farms around 7 hectares of organically grown vines across two very different terroirs. Close to the cellar, Chardonnay, Grenache Blanc and old-vine Grenache Noir grow on golden limestone soils. Further north, higher up the valley, Gamay, Syrah and Grenache Noir take root in dark basalt on the slopes of an extinct volcano. In the cellar, things are deliberately hands-off. Sylvain often ferments with whole bunches, lets the fruit and site do the talking, and uses a mix of tank and barrel for élevage. No additions, no unnecessary fuss — just plenty of patience and a very good palate. And despite the totally natural approach, these are wines with remarkable precision and balance: generous, lively, fresh and seriously drinkable. We’ll be opening a selection of Sylvain’s wines at Tiong Bahru and digging a little deeper into the man, the vineyards and what makes the wines of the Ardèche so compelling. Limestone, basalt, old vines, whole bunches and very little messing about. Come thirsty. TASTING LIST À La Fraîche 2024 Neck 2024 Taberneck 2023 Raffut 2024 DETAILS Saturday 3rd October 2026 3pm - 4.30pm / 4.30pm - 6pm Temple Cellars (Tiong Bahru) 61 Seng Poh Lane Ticket $35 Book online as seats are limited