Vineyards & Viticulture
Irouléguy, an AOC since 1970, is a tiny Basque appellation on the foothills of the Pyrénées in southwest France. Jean-Claude Berrouet purchased 2.8 hectares in nearby Ispoure, 1.9 of which is planted to white varietals, naming it with the Basque words for country (herri) and homesick (mina) in 1992. The vines are planted on the steep, 60-degree (on average) south-facing slopes no higher than 120 meters above sea level, and no chemicals have been used since 2002. The vines enjoy the climatic influence of the Atlantic, but are protected from cold north wind and receive more sunshine than most other French vineyard regions.

Soils
Sandstone

Harvest & Vinification
Grapes are manually harvested into small crates and carefully sorted. Petit Manseng and Gros Manseng are vinified together, while Petit Courbu is vinified separately. The wine ages on its lees, 25% in 300-liter oak barrels (mix of old and new) and the remaining in stainless steel for nine months until it is bottled in the following spring.