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Two years ago I was driving around in the Rhône-Alps region looking for wine from the Savoie region. I didn't have a plan just a book with regional wine makers. So I just picked a winemaker randomly. This very unscientific method of winemaker selection is not something that I would necessarily recommend. As a matter of fact, it almost never works and statistically it shouldn't work. However, this time, I got lucky in a really big way. I mean not only was the wine splendid, but it was also not terribly expensive.
Domaine La Chancelière is in the Rhone-alps region, in the foothills of the Bauges in the Savoie department between Chambéry and Albertville in Chignin.
Winemaker Felix Fabien took over the 4.5 hectares of vineyards in 1999. Previously all the wine had always been sold off in bulk. What a pity! In 2012, Fabien joined up with George Navarro and increased its vineyard size to 13.5 hectares. The grapes produced here are Roussanne, Jacquère, and La Mondeuse.
Together Fabien and George have improved the quality of their wines by paying particular attention to detail and implementing natural methods that promote vineyard health. They believe that wine production starts in the vineyard with careful maintenance and respect for nature. The use of machinery is very limited, and no chemicals are used for fertilization or pest control.
Both Fabien and George are serious winemakers. They have received awards for their wine from the Trophées des Vins de Savoie (2012, 2013) and Concours Général Agricole de Paris (2014, 2015). When you meet them, they are very personable and make you feel welcome. You are greeted with a small glass of their delicious Savoie Chignin and sent off again in the same manner at the end. Not bad, eh?
