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The history of the estate

creating the domain

When François Perceval created the estate in 1910 on the slopes of the Combe de Savoie, did he know that the fruit of his labor would become a 54-hectare vineyard four generations later?
His son Jean-Baptiste and his grandson Guy have expanded the estate, constantly improving the quality of the vines and the wine produced with patience and passion.
Pascal Perceval works today on an exceptional estate, in the French Alps, which extends from the commune of Les Marches, near the Saint André lake, to the territory of Chautagne, on the edge of the Bourget lake.
In this breathtaking landscape, the average age of the vines is 30 years and some parcels exceed 80 years.

From this soil, inherited from the gigantic collapse of the Granier mountain in November 1248, comes a white grape variety with subtle, fresh aromas. In our region, criss-crossed by mountains, valleys, lakes and rivers, the continental climate is subject to numerous influences, from oceanic in the north to Mediterranean in the south.
On these lands, the Perceval family cultivates tradition and audacity as well as quality viticulture. Respect for a job well done, for the often manual harvest and for ancestral methods, preserves nectars with round tannins, good density and a fine, assertive character.
The choice of grass-covered soils forces the roots to draw the best from the earth. In this way, the sustainability of the humus on the slopes is maintained. Our vines flourish on glacial moraine slopes. Their high mineral concentration helps to drain the plots and spread their warmth to the soil.

Exceptional wines

A Legendary Land

From this soil, inherited from the gigantic collapse of the Granier mountain in November 1248, comes a white grape variety with subtle, fresh aromas. In our region, criss-crossed by mountains, valleys, lakes and rivers, the continental climate is influenced by oceanic influences to the north and Mediterranean to the south. 

Rich land

On these lands, the Perceval family cultivates both tradition and audacity, as well as quality viticulture. Respect for a job well done, manual harvesting and ancestral methods preserve nectars with round tannins, good density and a fine, assertive character. The choice of grass cover forces the roots to draw the best from the soil. In this way, the sustainability of the humus on the slopes is maintained. Our vines flourish on glacial moraine slopes. Their high mineral concentration helps the drainage of the plots and diffuses their warmth to the soil.

Vineyards at the Porte de Savoie

Discover the amazing revival of Savoy wines

Long shunned, Apremonts and Mondeuses are enjoying a remarkable renaissance.
Savoy wines have long been confined to accompanying fondue and raclette in ski resorts. But times have changed!

It's true that Savoyard vineyards don't get as much media exposure as they do in the high-altitude sunshine. Most guidebooks frequently feature it in a brief chapter shared with Jura wines, with which it has absolutely nothing in common.

The history of Savoie wines dates back to the Gallic Allobroges people, reinforced by Roman viticulture. The winter sports boom of the 1970s and the hosting of the Winter Olympics in Albertville in 1992 put the region in the spotlight. Volume had become a necessity.

Since then, a great deal of work has been carried out by professionals.
Savoyard vineyards have everything it takes to produce top-quality wines.
Plots are often planted on sheltered, well-exposed hillsides, or benefit from the advantageous proximity of lakes.

Here, the winemaker knows the history of the subsoil in each vineyard, naturally choosing to vinify each plot individually. In spring, grass is everywhere and the vines are grassed over to force the vines to develop their root network, to grow lower down to avoid competition from grass, which consumes nitrogen, and to let the plant and mineral live at the rhythm imposed by harsh winters and hot summers.

Recognized AOCs

Three denominations have the AOC label:
- Roussette de Savoie
- Seyssel
- Vin de Savoie
- The Crémant de Savoie (sparkling) is in the process of obtaining the AOP.

These appellations produce 130,000 hectoliters of wine per year, 80% of which is white wine.

Sixteen geographical denominations can add their name to the AOC Savoie wine: Abymes, Apremont, Arbin, Ayze, Chautagne, Chignin, Chignin-Bergeron or Bergeron, Crépy, Cruet, Jongieux, Marignan, Marin, Montmélian, Ripaille, Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte, and Saint-Jeoire-Prieuré

Climate in Savoie

The vineyard, offering many varieties, benefits from a climate of mountain type, from continental to Mediterranean. Every 116 meters the temperature drops by 1°C. Above 600 meters the temperature increases by 1° every 247 meters.
The vineyards can experience periods of frost of up to 100 days per year, especially in the valleys. The dominant winds come from the west and bring a lot of humidity but also regulate the temperatures. Rainfall is between 1000 and 1200 mm/year. The sunshine is between 1874 hours and 2000 hours per year.

East of Chambéry, the Combe de Savoie is located between the Chartreuse and the Massif des Bauges regional nature parks.

 

The vineyards can experience periods of frost lasting up to 100 days a year, especially in the valleys. Prevailing winds come from the west, bringing plenty of humidity but also regulating temperatures. Rainfall is between 1000 and 1200 mm/year. Sunshine is between 1,874 and 2,000 hours a year. To the east of Chambéry, the Combe de Savoie lies between the Chartreuse and Massif des Bauges regional nature parks.

A wide variety of grape varieties

For red wine :

Mondeuse: typically Savoyard variety. It was very common before the arrival of phylloxera. It is a rather vigorous variety which gives dense and tannic wines. It likes limestone and schist soils.
Gamay: introduced late in Savoie after the phylloxera episode. It is present on 18% of the planted areas. It is rather delicate and fears frost, it has a good yield. It gives wines that are rich in taste, not very tannic and generous in fruit.
Persan: Very old variety from Savoie. Becomes rarer.
Pinot Noir: On the alpine soils, it gives rather powerful, complex and fruity wines.

Other grape varieties are present but less exploited: Gouai, Douce-Noire, Chardonnay, Molette blanche, Mondeuse blanche, Malvoisie.

For white wine :

Altesse or Roussette: Typical variety of Savoy which can be traced back to the 16th century. It is present on 15% of the planted surface of Savoie. It is a vigorous grape variety that matures late. It is sensitive to frost and certain vine diseases.

Chardonnay : It is not the emblematic grape variety of the region but it is found on 2% of the planted areas. It is not the only grape variety used in the elaboration of the crus. It brings to the wine a good acid support and fruit.

Jacquère : Very old emblematic grape variety of Savoy. It would have been implanted in the XIIIth century. It covers almost 55% or about 1000 ha including 900ha of the vineyard. It is a vigorous variety with late maturity.

Roussanne or Bergeron: A not very productive grape variety that matures late. Present on 2% of the vineyard. This variety is part of the composition of the Chignon-Bergeron vintage. It is a dense, complex wine with a strong potential for ageing.

Gringet or Roussette basse : Savoyard grape variety, it represents 1% of the total grape variety and 11% of Haute Savoie.

Chasselas or Fendant or Crépy : It is found only in Haute Savoie where it is present at 70%. It is a productive and early variety. It gives fine wines with delicate aromas of hawthorn, hazelnut with good acidity.

Malvoisie: This grape variety is not very present in the vineyards of the Combe de Savoie.

Molette: It is a robust, rustic and productive grape variety.

Mondeuse blanche: This variety is present in small quantities in the vineyards of the Cluse de Chambéry and the Combe de Savoie.