The people behind the labels: Stéphane Derenoncourt

Βy Yiannis Karakasis MW

Originally published in Greek Wine Explained Report | 2025

Stéphane Derenoncourt, a French winemaking consultant, is self-taught and has experience working at many prestigious Bordeaux châteaux before beginning his consulting career in 1997. While he has consulted extensively in France and internationally, including at the T-Oinos winery, he is gradually reducing his consulting activities to focus on T-Oinos's development, where he is now a partner.

YK: In your work, you have focused on expressing the identity of the vine and the terroir. How would you describe the terroir of the island of Tinos, and how does it influence the character of T-Oinos wines?

SD: This terroir is unique and delicate. The granitic sandy soils are relatively shallow and easily compacted, making deep rooting a significant challenge. Furthermore, with 10,000 vines planted per hectare, competition for nutrients is intense. These vines face constant stress, but if we can balance and lessen various stresses, the resulting grapes can tell an extraordinary story.

YK: T-Oinos operates in extreme conditions with minimal rainfall. How have these challenges influenced your viticultural practices, and do you see these solutions useful for viticulture elsewhere?

SD: We use organic methods to prevent soil compaction and promote deep root growth through crop brooding in autumn and winter. Alexandre Avatagellos, a passionate advocate of homoeopathy, has also developed highly effective plant treatments.

YK: Could you elaborate on how you have redefined the use of oak at T-Oinos and how it helps to achieve “Energy, Transparency, and Purity” (ETP) in the wines?

SD: Energy is derived from the environment, the microclimate, and wind. Transparency reflects the identity of wines produced on granitic soils. Purity results from our meticulously chosen vinification and ageing processes, which remain pure even though our white wines are not overly refined.