Adrien Berlioz

History of Domaine Adrien Berlioz

Adrien Berlioz does not come from a family of winemakers in the strict sense, yet the vine has always surrounded him: his cousin Gilles Berlioz is a well-known figure in the Savoyard wine region, and it was his grandmother who handed over her first rows of vines when he set up his estate. After a technical-commercial diploma in wine, followed by a viticulture and oenology degree in Beaune, Adrien returned to Savoie in 2006 with a clear vision: to create an estate that showcases the indigenous Savoyard grape varieties and the micro-terroirs of Chignin. He planted his first vines on 1.5 hectares and began building the Cellier des Cray, a reference to the cray (limestone scree) characteristic of the hillsides of Chignin.

Progressively, Adrien expanded his vineyard and refined his philosophy. In 2012, he certified the entire estate in organic farming (Ecocert) and committed to biodynamics, certified since 2020. His yields are deliberately very low, around 35 hl/ha, half the permitted norm, in order to concentrate the expression of each plot. The estate, now organised into 17 single-plot cuvées across 7 hectares spread over three communes, is considered one of the most prestigious estates in Chignin and one of the essential references of contemporary Savoyard viticulture. Adrien is also developing a planting project under the IGP Vin des Allobroges for rare grape varieties such as Barbin, Bia, Mondeuse Blanche, Viognier, Aligoté and Joubertin.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Adrien Berlioz

Adrien Berlioz's vineyard is located primarily on the hillsides of Chignin, with extensions in Montmélian and Arbin. The soils of Chignin are composed of glacial moraines on a clay-limestone bedrock, with limestone scree (the famous "cray") whose proportion varies from one plot to another. Slopes can reach 50%, making any mechanical work impossible and requiring intensive manual labour, with pickaxes and by hand. The soils are regularly hoed and grassed to allow each vine to draw all necessary nutrients and minerals from depth. The bedrock is often just 15 to 20 cm below the surface, forcing the roots to plunge deep into the rock in search of water and minerality.

The grape variety selection is one of the most diverse in Savoie. In white: Jacquère, Bergeron (the local name for Roussanne), Altesse, Malvoisie (Pinot Gris), Chardonnay, Mondeuse Blanche and ancient hybrid varieties. In red: Mondeuse Noire, Persan (an extremely rare variety from the Combe de Savoie), Douce Noire, Gamay and Pinot Noir. This remarkable ampelographic diversity reflects Adrien's conviction: to safeguard the Savoyard viticultural heritage and explore every facet of a rich and complex terroir. Each plot gives rise to a cuvée vinified specifically in the spirit of its place.

Vinification at Domaine Adrien Berlioz

Vinification at Adrien Berlioz is founded on respect for the grape and the pure expression of terroir. The harvest is manual, in crates, to transport the grapes intact to the winery. Pressing is direct, away from air. The transfer to the tank is done by gravity. Static settling is practised. Fermentations start spontaneously with indigenous yeasts. Ageing takes place in stainless steel tanks for most of the white cuvées, and in demi-muids for certain red cuvées such as Octavie (Persan), for 6 to 8 months. Interventions and the use of sulphur are kept to a minimum, and most cuvées are produced without added sulphur.

For the Bergerons, direct pressing is followed by ageing in stainless steel tanks, sometimes with a brief passage in wood for the cellar-worthy cuvées such as Grand Zeph. For the Persan and Mondeuse, destemming is partial or total depending on the plots, extended cold maceration is practised, followed by ageing in demi-muids. The constant pursuit of late maturity (by favouring less exposed slopes than average) achieves a remarkable complexity and alpine freshness, avoiding the heavy or heady wines that can sometimes be encountered in the appellation.

The cuvées of Domaine Adrien Berlioz

La Cuvée des Gueux (Vin de Savoie Blanc): An entry-level cuvée and gateway into the world of Adrien Berlioz, a blend of Jacquère and Altesse depending on the vintage. Dry, fresh and aromatic white wine with notes of white flowers, citrus and saline minerality. The cuvée of simple pleasures and conviviality, accessible and delicious. Ideal as an aperitif or with lake fish.

Chignin-Bergeron Raipoumpou: A white cuvée from Bergeron (Roussanne) planted on a very poor plot, with only 15 cm of soil above the bedrock. Its name comes from a wild radish planted by Adrien's wife in her garden. A sunny and exuberant nose of candied fruits, spices and flowers, with empyreumatic touches of flint and musk. Saline and delicate palate, fresh despite the richness of the nose. An extreme plot yielding a wine of great personality. 90/100 Guide Vert RVF.

Chignin-Bergeron Lucien: A white cuvée of Bergeron (Roussanne) dedicated to the winemaker's son. From a plot on schist and limestone, offering a distinctive minerality. Aromas of peach, apricot and acacia blossom, with a fresh and balanced structure. A Chignin-Bergeron of great elegance, crafted to accompany fine regional Savoyard cuisine.

Chignin-Bergeron Grand Zeph: A white cuvée paying homage to grandfather Joseph, the most ambitious Bergeron from the estate. An intense nose blending spices, flowers and ripe fruit, a generous palate with notes of vanilla, fenugreek and fruit. The refinement of Grand Zeph makes it a great fine wine for gastronomy. Available in magnum for special occasions. A Bergeron to cellar and to treasure.

Chignin-Bergeron Albinum: A Bergeron cuvée from a steep clay-limestone hillside that is extremely arduous to work. A nose leaning towards gunflint, less fruit-driven than the other Bergerons. A palate where richness dominates, lifted by a fine vivacity. This cuvée retains residual sugars that blend perfectly into the overall balance. An atypical, mineral and gastronomic Bergeron.

Roussette de Savoie Zulime: A 100% Roussette (Altesse) white cuvée of great indulgence and remarkable complexity. Notes of tarte tatin, candied citrus and white flowers, with a broad and taut palate. A Roussette de Savoie of great distinction, true to the expression of this noble grape variety on Savoyard terroir.

Vin des Allobroges Marcelle: A white cuvée produced from less common alpine grape varieties, as part of Adrien's IGP Vin des Allobroges project. An expression of the estate's ampelographic creativity, featuring rare varieties such as Mondeuse Blanche, Barbin or other alpine cultivars. A white wine of remarkable freshness and originality. Also available in a maceration version (orange style).

Vin des Allobroges Marcelle Macération: The orange version of the Marcelle cuvée, produced from an extended skin-contact maceration using the same rare alpine grape varieties. Amber in colour, complex nose of dried fruits, spices and minerality, with a structured and original palate. A singular and demanding orange wine from the mountains.

Vin de Savoie Douce Noire Sanguette: A red cuvée produced from Douce Noire, an extremely rare Savoyard red grape variety, affectionately nicknamed "Sanguette". Nose of blackberry, sloe, spices and rose. A wine of beautiful harmony, freshness and power, as exceptional as it is rare. One of the estate's most exclusive expressions, for lovers of vanished indigenous grape varieties.

Vin de Savoie Octavie (Persan): The flagship red cuvée of the estate, produced from Persan, an almost extinct Savoyard red grape variety native to the Combe de Savoie. Partial destemming, extended cold maceration, ageing in demi-muids for 6 to 8 months, indigenous yeasts. Nose of orange peel, black fruits and spices, dense and energetic palate, powerful and tannic structure that gains patina with time. An exceptional wine that bears witness to the nobility of the Persan grape variety, deep without heaviness. Remarkable ageing potential.

Vin de Savoie Euphrasie: A single-plot cuvée whose name means "joy" in French, and which truly delights the palate. From a specific plot on the estate, made from a Savoyard grape variety depending on the vintage. A wine of great drinkability and a festive, sincere character, in keeping with its name.

Les Vignes de la Sauterelle Verte (Vin de Savoie): A light and airy cuvée with alpine accents, "a free wine, light of step but precise of gesture, born of alpine varieties set back in motion". Fresh and airy nose of crunchy fruits, noble vegetal notes and wild flowers. A fluid palate carried by a lively acidity and a refreshing sensation. The lightest and most immediately pleasurable cuvée from the estate.

Other single-plot cuvées (La Pepie, Barbin, Méliné, Suzanne, Marie Clothilde, Rosa, Pignolo, Egleton, Pet Nat): The estate produces a total of 17 single-plot cuvées, several of which are highly exclusive, crafted from specific micro-plots. La Pepie, Barbin (from the ancient eponymous grape variety), Méliné, Suzanne, Marie Clothilde, Rosa and Pignolo are cuvées bearing the feminine given names of family members or close friends, in keeping with the warm family spirit of the estate. Egleton is a Mondeuse cuvée. The Pet Nat is the estate's natural sparkling wine, light and festive. Each of these cuvées faithfully expresses a micro-terroir and a particular grape variety, in keeping with Adrien Berlioz's absolute single-plot philosophy.