Priez Saint Christophe - Michel Grisard

History of Prieuré Saint-Christophe - Michel Grisard

Originally from Fréterive, Michel Grisard comes from a family of winemakers established for several generations in the Combe de Savoie. Trained in oenology and viticulture, he undertook at the end of the 1970s to revive an estate that had fallen into neglect. The first vintages of Prieuré Saint-Christophe saw the light of day in the early 1980s. At a time when Mondeuse was largely overlooked, he was convinced of the potential of this indigenous grape variety and revealed its full nobility. In 1994, well before such an approach became widespread, he converted his vineyard to biodynamics. Production remains deliberately limited, at around 20,000 bottles per year, which explains the rarity of his wines.

Michel Grisard's influence extends well beyond his own estate. He participated in the creation of the domaine des Ardoisières and worked alongside ampelographer Pierre Galet on the preservation of rare or lost alpine grape varieties. In 2015, upon his retirement, he chose to entrust his vines to the Giachino brothers, winemakers in Chapareillan since 1988, to carry on his work. The bottles signed by his hand, of which the last vintage is 2014, have become true collector's items.

Terroirs and Vines of Prieuré Saint-Christophe - Michel Grisard

The Prieuré Saint-Christophe vineyard covers approximately six hectares of steep hillside slopes, on the south face of the Combe de Savoie, within the Parc naturel régional du Massif des Bauges. The soils combine alluvial and silty deposits from an ancient glacial moraine with clay-limestone scree. This alpine terroir, well exposed to the sun, yields wines that are both ripe and of great freshness. The estate is dedicated to two emblematic Savoie grape varieties: Mondeuse, grown over approximately 3.8 hectares in Arbin and Fréterive, and Altesse, planted over 1.4 hectares in Cruet.

The viticulture remains faithful to the spirit of its founder. Yields are low and controlled, the soils are living and the vines are farmed biodynamically. Under the stewardship of the Giachino family, the vineyard holds both Organic Agriculture and Demeter certifications. Copper is used in very small doses and all the work aims to let the terroir express itself.

Winemaking at Prieuré Saint-Christophe - Michel Grisard

In the cellar, the winemaking is simple and precise: indigenous yeasts only, sulphur in minimal quantities and ageing on the lees until bottling. The Mondeuses are often vinified as whole-bunch to preserve their crunchiness. They macerate for a long time, from 25 to 40 days, then are aged for approximately six months in tank and at least twelve months in barrel. These patient élevages yield wines of great ageing potential, which often require extended aeration or a few years of cellaring to reveal themselves fully.

The Altesse whites are harvested by hand in whole bunches, sorted, then slowly pressed without crushing. After cold settling, the juices ferment in barrel, where they are aged for twelve months before spending six months in tank. The resulting Roussettes are full-bodied, mineral and of fine depth.

The cuvées of Prieuré Saint-Christophe - Michel Grisard

Mondeuse Tradition (Michel Grisard): this emblematic cuvée from Michel Grisard was long marketed as Vin de Pays d'Allobrogie. Its fresh nose evokes flowers, raspberry, blackberry and pepper, with the signature of whole-bunch harvesting. On the palate, it is crunchy, supple and of great finesse. This is a reference Mondeuse, which has reconciled many enthusiasts with this grape variety.

Mondeuse Prestige (Michel Grisard): this is the estate's great ageing cuvée. Vinified like the Tradition, it is distinguished by its terroir, which lends it more substance and power, on deep notes of blackberry. With the years, it develops aromas of undergrowth, leather, olive and spices, carried by a remarkable tension. Old vintages of the Mondeuse Prestige are highly sought after.

Roussette de Savoie (Michel Grisard): sourced from Altesse grown biodynamically, this Roussette de Savoie reveals the full white ambition of the estate. Aged in barrel, it combines richness, minerality and alpine freshness, with real ageing potential.

Roussette Assemblage de Millésimes (Michel Grisard): this original and confidential cuvée brings together several harvests of Altesse, including 2010 and 2011. The blend brings both the vivacity of young wines and the complexity of more evolved ones. It bears witness to Michel Grisard's free spirit.

Altesse in an oxidative style (Michel Grisard): this is an absolute rarity, an Altesse aged at length in an oxidative style, which can exceed twenty years of age. Complex and unsettling, it is reminiscent of certain great wines aged under a veil. It is an ideal bottle for surprising tasters at a blind tasting.

Eau-de-vie de Mondeuse (Michel Grisard): distilled from Mondeuse noire, this rare eau-de-vie extends Michel Grisard's tribute to his favourite grape variety. It concentrates the aromatic finesse and spicy character of the Savoyard Mondeuse.

Prieuré Saint-Christophe Rouge, AOP Savoie Mondeuse: produced since 2015 by the Giachino family from the historic vines of Arbin and Fréterive, this Mondeuse offers a purple robe with garnet reflections. The nose associates blackberry, prune and spices, then the palate reveals violet and liquorice, on silky but well-present tannins. Its maturity is sometimes reminiscent of certain Piedmontese Barberas. It benefits from decanting or waiting a few years.

Prieuré Saint-Christophe Blanc, AOP Roussette de Savoie: this Altesse comes from the hillsides of Cruet. It is pressed in whole bunches, fermented and then aged for twelve months in barrel and six months in tank. Its bright, light gold robe heralds a fruity and mineral nose of white flowers, pineapple and candied pear. The palate, rich and indulgent, lingers on a honeyed and floral finish, a sign of long ageing potential.