Domaine Berthollier Chignin Bergeron 'Exception' 2023

This little pocket of the Savoie has been planted to vines since 1850 – first by the Tissot family, and then by the Tissot-Berthollier family. These two families have been pivotal in the shaping of the region of Savoie; being among the first to begin bottling their wines (vs selling in barrel) and then pushing for the development of the inaugural Savoie appellation in 1973. Since 1995, brothers Didier and Denis have been at the helm, refocusing on planting “heroic” steep Savoyard slopes, moving to more parcellaire work and transitioning to organic and biodynamic farming, as well as zero sulphur additions during the vinification and ageing.

Sitting at the Massif des Bauges, Chignin benefits from a pitch-perfect south, south-easterly exposure, protection from the northerly wines by the mountains, steep slots and a soil of limestone scree atop a marl-limestone base. It is a village that is undoubtedly emblematic of great Savoyard wines.

Grape variety: 100% Roussanne Average Age of Vines: 30 Years Terroir: Clay & Limestone soils Vineyard Surface Area: 2.5ha Exposition: South, South-West - very steep hillsides Altitude: 350m

Vinification: Harvest by hand between 15 - 25th September. Whole clusters pressed and fermented with native yeasts with no additions of sulphur Ageing: Until bottling, 80% in stainless steel vats, 20 % in barrel, no new oak used Organic: Organic principles and in conversion