Grapes: Jacquere
Region: Savoie, France
Vintage: 2022
Viticulture: Organic
Soils: Limestone
Vinification: Direct press, fermented in stainless steel
Aging: 9 months in sandwstone amphora
Fining or Filtering: None
Sulfur: Minimal
Notes from the Importer: Yann Pernuit, a former Parisian by birth and after a spell in Normandy, landed in the Alps with his family many years ago.
A former cyclist, Yann Pernuit quickly turned to the world of natural wine after being disappointed with the world of cycling.
For years, Yann made his mark at Château de Mérande, the emblematic castle of Arbin, which he strongly helped to embark on biodynamics. This estate was held by the Genoux brothers, André and Daniel. Since 2009, they have been Ecocert certified, i.e. a vine culture conducted in bio-biodynamic farming. It is therefore at a very good school that Yann Pernuit learned the profession of winegrower. Before going on his own, Yann joined the great and late Dominique Belluard in Ayze. The figure of the natural wines of Savoy, which brought the Gringet grape variety, a forgotten Savoy grape variety, back to life. Located in Ayze, it is with Dominique Belluard that Yann confirms his desire to make natural wine, in an approach that respects the environment.
It was therefore in 2019 that he set up on his own, Les Vins de Belema was born. First by buying grapes, and continuing to work with Dominique Belluard, Yann produced his first vintage.
Nature lovers, he can only be in love with biodynamics as well. His first wines are already a very good first glimpse of his talent as a winemaker.
After the death of Dominique Belluard, he immediately started planting vines to ensure the continuity of his estate. His goal is to have 5 hectares of vines on the Ayze soil, in addition to a few Dominique Belluard vines. He then cultivated different Savoy grape varieties including Mondeuse and Étraire de la Dhuy, which he liked to see evolve, as well as a forgotten grape variety that he learned to cultivate with Belluard, Gringet, typical of Ayze.
