Grapes: Jacquere
Region: Savoie, France
Vintage: 2023
Viticulture: Biodynamic
Soils: Limestone
Yeasts: Native
Vinification: Direct press, then fermented in cement tanks + old barrels
Aging: 1 year
Fining or Filtering: None
Sulfur: Minimal
Notes from the Importer: Nicolas Ferrand is a first generation winemaker who founded his domaine in 2011, naming it for the reddish alpine soils he works.
He currently farms around five hectares of vines in the village of Saint Jean de la Porte planted with Mondeuse, Altesse, and Jacquère. All of the vineyard plots are south-facing at an altitude of 350 to 580 meters. The native herbs and trees on the slopes of the Bauges mountain ranges create a sort of alpine “garrigue.”
The winery and cellar are at a family farm in La Motte-Servolex, using old stables that used to house Nicolas' grandparents' cattle. (The hay hatches have proven useful to working by gravity.) In the cellar, Nicolas is as non-interventionist as possible, using only natural yeasts and old barrels. When racking and bottling, he works according to the biodynamic calendar.
La Pente is 100% Jacquère from steep slopes on limestone based soils. Approximately half of the final blend is aged in old oak barrels with the other half aged in tank.
