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Foodies

An epicurean escape – Echezo Ibiza

An epicurean escape – Echezo Ibiza

Words Danni Landa

The brand-new fine wine bar, restaurant and boutique in Marina Village giving Ibiza oenophiles exclusive access to vintage drops, rare gems and exclusive labels, plus delectable sharing plates and the finest gourmet delights such as caviar, foie gras, bottarga, cheese and more.

Dedicated gourmands will occasionally feel an unspecified yearning. A deep desire for something elusive, something unique – an epicurean experience so exclusive it creates an everlasting memory. There must be a purity of flavour but also novelty, good companionship and another indefinable aspect that only comes from service steeped in experience. If you find yourself in this position in Ibiza, the cure to your longing can be located at Echezo Ibiza – a new fine wine bar and boutique in the beautiful Marina Village.

White Ibiza Journal: An epicurean escape – Echezo Ibiza
White Ibiza Journal: An epicurean escape – Echezo Ibiza

In the heart of Marina Village, Echezo Ibiza redefines the island’s wine culture with rare vintages, grower Champagnes and gourmet plates in a refined, convivial atmosphere.

White Ibiza Journal: An epicurean escape – Echezo Ibiza
White Ibiza Journal: An epicurean escape – Echezo Ibiza

Here, robust reds, distinguished whites, delicate Champagnes, peerless spirits and exceptional food converge in a welcoming and elegant setting. By day, the Echezo Ibiza terrace is a light-filled retreat, a place to pause with a glass of Blanc de Blancs and a plate of delicate smoked eel on toast. As the sun sets, it transforms into an intimate space where conversation flows as easily as the wine. In summer, it is an alfresco sanctuary for long lunches, and in winter it’s a cosy refuge for conversation and connection over sharing plates and flights of select wines. The discreet cigar terrace with a carefully curated menu completes the experience, welcoming devotees to unwind with outstanding spirits and fine cigars in understated comfort.

The visionary behind this project is Philippe Kalmbach, a former tech entrepreneur who transformed his passion for collecting and enjoying fine wines into Wine Source, a global retail and distribution network. Today, Kalmbach channels his expertise into Echezo Ibiza, where – alongside master sommelier Xavier Rousset  he has shaped a cellar without precedent, filled with bottles from exclusive allocations, rare labels and small producers. There is no collection like it on the island.

White Ibiza Journal: An epicurean escape – Echezo Ibiza
White Ibiza Journal: An epicurean escape – Echezo Ibiza

At Echezo Ibiza, connoisseurs gain access to treasures rarely poured outside cities like Paris or London. Bottles from Antoine Jobard, Pernot Belicard and Duroché in Burgundy sit alongside Champagne houses such as Savart, Bérêche, Pouillon, Dhont Grellet, La Rogerie and Jérôme Prévost. These are singular drops, gems from obscure vintners that restaurants across Europe covet and yet here they are being opened, shared and savoured in Ibiza under the careful direction of Rousset’s discerning palate.

Renowned as the youngest person ever to earn the title of master sommelier (at just 23 years old), Rousset honed his craft in some of the world’s most prestigious dining rooms, including Hotel du Vin in Bristol and Raymond Blanc’s two-starred Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Innovative by nature, he went on to launch Texture, the Scandi-influenced London-based restaurant that swiftly earned a Michelin Star, followed by Marylebone darling Blandford Comptoir and the acclaimed Black Book, which cemented his place as one of the UK’s most respected wine figures.

White Ibiza Journal: An epicurean escape – Echezo Ibiza
White Ibiza Journal: An epicurean escape – Echezo Ibiza

The refined, convivial atmosphere at Echezo Ibiza makes the tasting experiences on offer appeal to collectors, enthusiasts and local foodies alike.

White Ibiza Journal: An epicurean escape – Echezo Ibiza
White Ibiza Journal: An epicurean escape – Echezo Ibiza

The impeccable wine list at Echezo Ibiza is designed to encourage discovery. Guests can explore by the glass, tasting across styles and vintages without the need to commit to a single bottle. Guided by the expertise of the Echezo Ibiza team, both rookies and aficionados can experience wines that would otherwise remain out of reach. One evening may bring a vertical of Côte d’Or whites, another the textured precision of récoltant-manipulant – grower Champagnes cultivated and bottled on the same estate. In a single sitting, guests might savour a prized 1962 rarity, then move to the elegance of a limited-release pinot from a rising star from Burgundy.

In close collaboration with respected provedores Maison Dehesa and sourcing organic produce from the pioneering Juntos Farm in Santa Gertrudis, the Echezo Ibiza menu is crafted to complement every pour. Highlights include the earthy flavours of bottarga matched with a silky Ibizan stracciatella; the famed line-caught XXL sardines on grilled sourdough with sea-salted butter; rich and velvety gazpacho prepared using Juntos Farm tomatoes; and a prime Argentine sirloin grilled over an open flame.

White Ibiza Journal: An epicurean escape – Echezo Ibiza
White Ibiza Journal: An epicurean escape – Echezo Ibiza

For those with a taste for luxury, the Echezo Ibiza caviar menu is unrivalled, featuring BaeriOscietraBeluga and the extraordinary Albinos golden eggs, all served on buttered toast and ideally paired with prestige Champagnes such as Savart Ouverture, Bérêche Brut, Larmandier Bernier Longitude and Marie Courtin’s effervescent 2017 vintage. Desserts are equally opulent with options like organic melon and lemon sorbet and a decadent molten chocolate fondant with oranges providing a refined and delicious finale.

A slew of special events is designed to spotlight individual winemakers and small family run domaines and châteaux, pairing their wines with specially created dishes that deepen the dialogue between grape and plate. This program cements Echezo Ibiza as a beacon within the Ibiza culinary scene, providing celebratory occasions for both education and indulgence. These kinds of gatherings combine collectors, enthusiasts and local foodies to exchange notes and discover new passions while linking up with like-minded people.

White Ibiza Journal: An epicurean escape – Echezo Ibiza
White Ibiza Journal: An epicurean escape – Echezo Ibiza

Every bottle in the ever-growing collection at Echezo Ibiza tells a story of artistry, patience and devotion, often decades in the making – it’s no surprise restaurants island-wide are lining up to build their wine lists here. Individual wine lovers can organise a private experience or enjoy a casual lunch or dinner. Either way, when your palate and appetite are satisfied be sure to stop by the boutique where the in-house wine masters suggest additions for your private collection. If you’re building a cellar from the ground up or looking to refresh your existing wine collection, the knowledgeable and experienced team can help you curate your dream cellar, guiding you according to your personal tastes and giving your home cellar a distinction found nowhere else.

Open from 12pm to 6pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and from 12pm until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays, Echezo Ibiza is an epicurean dream come true.