Apremont
Maison de la Vigne et du Vin. Located in the the heart of Savoie vineyards, the bright, contemporary building serves as an office space for the various wine councils of Savoie and and alsoserves as a space for various wine exhibitions where sixty high-quality producers can be found selling their wine year-round, Monday to Saturday. Tel : 04 79 33 44 16 www.vindesavoie.net
Domaine Cellier du Palais. The estate, owned by the Bernard family since 1700, sits on 7 hectares of land covered with cherry, almond, fig and cicadas tress. Beatrice Bernard, the sole winemaker in Apremont, has created a signature blend utilizing the fresh aromas of the terroir – white flowers and exotic fruit. The Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Apremont, made using 80 year old vines, is full-bodied and has a seductive nose, with subtle aromas of peach and apricot. www.lecellierdupalais.com
Chignin
Les Fils de René Quénard. Claire Taittinger, of the famous Champagne house, has traded bubbles for Savoie whites when in 2008 she took on the role of manager for Les Fils de René Quénard. Clare has brought glamour and prestige to this Chignan-Bergeron estate whose 2009 Bergeronette vintage is a golden white wine made from the roussane variety. The nose is lingering and sweet with soft aromas of acacia and almond. www.lesfilsderenequenard.wix.com
Fréterive
Delphine and Frédéric Garanjoud are winemakers with a rich family tradition of viticulture in the hill-covered towns of Saint Claude and Saint Odilon. Along with oenologist Gilbert Brouet, the estate produce their “Amariva” blend by combining cabernet sauvignon and an ancestral Persian grape variety called “persan.” The resulting Amariva is fragrant, soft and has great aging potential. www.domaine-bouvet.com
St Jean de la Porte
Domaine de Méjane.The origins of the Domaine date back to 1793, but it wasn’t until 2000 that Henriquet family took control of the vineyard. The family renovated the large house and added a high-tech cellar. Winemaker Anne Bellemin Laponnaz tends to their 14 hectares of land with the Roussette variety in mind. The resulting white wine is pale gold in color with spicy aromas of thyme and honey.www.domaine-de-mejane.com
Arbin
Louis Trosset’s passion for botany has established him as a winemaker who truly respects nature. The 4 hectare vineyard is mostly planted on the hillsides of the village. Trosset utilizes a whole bunch vinification process, aging the cuvee in stainless steel tanks without passage. His wines are sleek and the 2011 vintage in particular is a unique blend with complex aromas of violet, chocolate and licorice. Visits by appointment Tel : 04 79 84 30 90
Andre and Daniel Genoux, brothers who have a family legacy of making wine in the Arbin region, opened their estate with the help of young winemaker Pernuit Yann. The domain has been nominated for several wine tourism awards, in addition for being recognized in their extensive work in biodynamics. Visitors can stay at the castle, walk among the grounds be indulgent while enjoying the Savoie wines and gourmet meals. www.domaine-genoux.fr
