The Giachino family, Frederic, his wife Mariedo and their son, Antonin and daughter, Eleonore, live and farm in the Chartreuse Regional Park area in the Savoy region of France. The vineyard is situated between Grenoble and Chambéry in the High Rhone valley. Their Domaine stretches for some 9 Hectares (or about 22 acres).

They received their organic certification through Ecocert in 2006. They believe that natural farming is the best way to produce wonderful wines that respect the land and are better for everyone.

They grow several grape varieties on rtheir chalky, stony soils - Jacquere (6 hectares), Mondeuse (1 hectare), Roussette (1 hectare), Gamay and Persan (0.5 hectare each) and decided early on that they would dispense with tractors and use their horse to help them work the land. They also harvest the grapes by hand to ensure minimum damage prior to the making of the wines.

As they say “every picture tells a story” and it may be worth just pointing out a few features in these photos. Firstly, You can see the vines are grown on a south facing slopes (look at the shadows in the photos). These are the best conditions as the grapes receive an even exposure to the sun and a longest growing period possible. Secondly, check out the flowers and grass in between the rows of vine and look at the richness of the soil. This gives the vine the opportunity to develop a strong root structure that helps the vine to develop its natural resistance to pest and disease. Also, the grass helps retain the moisture on the land and prevents run off. Note the soil is being worked by hand and the obvious lack of compaction of the soil. This prevents run off and evaporation of rain and ensures the vine receives the water and nourishment. It is also evidence that they don’t use tractors in the vineyard.

All this adds up to maximise the sugars and flavour in the grape that will eventually develop into the alcohol and give the wine its wonderful character.