Domaine Anne-Sophie and Jean-François Quenard

A family story in Chignin!

An iconic, endearing family on the heights of Chignin, at the entrance to the Combe de Savoie. Running the estate: Jean-François Quénard and his daughter Anne-Sophie, who carries on her father’s good practices. She is committed to the environment, notably by working part of the soils with a horse. Precise wines that express the terroir and lovely Savoyard grapes… all combined with the whole family’s infectious good humour! A pleasure to introduce their cuvées.

Domaine Quénard, from father to daughter

There are many Quénards in the village of Chignin, but it is this family’s passion and desire to offer clean wines that lets us present them today.
Many generations have followed one another: the torch has passed from father to son since 1644.
Where does the estate’s experience come from? Jean-François Quénard graduated as an oenologist in 1987 from the University of Dijon. He then built up experience in Bordeaux at the Grézillac laboratory, at Domaine de l’Espiguette near Montpellier, and in the vineyards of California. Meeting Jules Chauvet (whose legacy lives on at Domaine Robert-Denogent) deepened his passion as a winegrower: he drew on his work and love of wine to pass on his know-how as well as possible.
The handover continues at the Quénards: in 2019, Anne-Sophie, one of Catherine and Jean-François’s four daughters, joined the estate. She could not turn her back on the potential of Savoie wines, nor on the continuity of the family estate. Today Anne-Sophie has brilliantly established herself as a maker of biodynamic and natural wines in Savoie.

Organic Savoie wine

The family estate covers about 18 hectares in Savoie, in Chignin (80%) and Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte (20%). The soils are mainly clay-limestone, limestone scree and moraine. Most vines are planted on slopes, some as steep as 45%: so all the work is done by hand, harvest included.
The estate grows typical Savoyard grapes: Mondeuse, Altesse, Jacquère, Persan and Roussanne, plus a little Pinot Noir and Gamay.
Anne-Sophie and Jean-François Quénard face nature every day and are grateful for what it gives them. Three elements guide their vision: climate, soil and vines. After years of sustainable farming, father and daughter turned to organic and biodynamic farming, constantly seeking to improve soil work and the use of plants in treatments. The vineyard is certified organic by Ecocert, and Jean-François has restructured his vines to move into biodynamics.

Harvest at Domaine Quénard

To respect the grapes as much as possible, vineyard work is manual, as is the harvest, to preserve the freshness and quality of the fruit. Jean-François Quénard could only follow the traditional methods handed down from generation to generation.
He is committed to respecting the exceptional Savoyard terroir where he grows his vines, and to moving towards ever more natural winemaking.

The cuvées of Domaine Anne-Sophie and Jean-François Quénard

The Roussette de Savoie Anne-Sophie, named in Anne-Sophie’s honour, is a dry white made from 100% Altesse (also called Roussette), from the Les Cailles site in Chignin. This high-potential grape has been made at the estate for some twenty years, with native yeasts and no added sulphur. Brioche and jasmine on the nose, lovely roundness on the palate: a true food wine!
Another local white, the Chignin-Bergeron Chez les Béroux, 100% Bergeron (the local name for Roussanne), comes from a plot on the limestone scree above Chignin, planted with vines over 40 years old. Dried apricot and a hint of gingerbread on the nose; on the palate, roundness and a touch of bitterness in perfect balance.
La Déroutante is a 100% Mondeuse red from Savoie with no added sulphur: all the grape’s character on the nose, soft tannins and pure fruit on the palate.
The Mondeuse Terres Rouges is, as its name suggests, a remarkably fruity Mondeuse: blackcurrant and blueberry on the nose, and freshness on the palate for guaranteed pleasure!
La Vie en Rose de Cath is a Savoie rosé dedicated to Catherine, Jean-François’s wife and Anne-Sophie’s mother. Made from Gamay and Mondeuse, it captures the fruity side and ideal freshness of rosé.
Wines in the image of this iconic family, celebrating sharing, passion and the expression of terroir. Savoie wines just as we love them at Epi-curieux.com!