domaine Belluard

Dominique Belluard farmed this small biodynamic estate at Ayse. It’s in the heart of the Haut Savoie valley of l’Arve in The French Alps. He was the third generation of the family to run it and took charge in 1988, converting it to biodynamic farming in 2001. Ayse (also spelt Ayze) is a Savoie wine “Cru” and is located just off the A40 Autoroute Blanche near Chamonix.

This Alpine domaine is at 450 metres, shared with orchards and dairy cattle. As a backdrop, nearby Mont Blanc provides the visual drama for these south-facing vineyards, some of which date back at least to the 13th Century.

The conditions here are remarkable – heat generated under clear skies by day ensures grape ripeness, yet the cold nights also help retain crystalline acidity and jasmine aromas.

The Domaine makes a range of excellent wines from the local Savoie grapes, such as Altesse for white and Mondeuse for red. However, they also grow something almost unique –  the ultra-rare Gringet grape, a later-ripening variety, found nowhere else in the world but Ayse.