Domaine des Côtes Rousses

Nicolas Ferrand, the winegrower

After a Master's degree in rural land planning, Nicolas Ferrand's path seemed already mapped out. He then spent several seasons as a cowherd in the mountain pastures and, after working with Jean-Pierre Grisard and then Pascal Quenard, discovered another passion rooted in the land.
A peasant winegrower was born: Nicolas took the plunge and started his own estate. Always cheerful, humble and passionate, Nicolas Ferrand and his wife now make Savoie wines with a bright future ahead!

The story of Nicolas Ferrand

Nicolas Ferrand now explores farming landscapes as a young winegrower at his Domaine des Côtes Rousses in Savoie. In the Combe de Savoie, on the slopes of the Bauges massif, he has farmed about 5 hectares in Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte since 2013, with grapes typical of Savoie such as Jacquère, Altesse, Bergeron and Mondeuse. At the start, he was helped by Matthieu Goury of Domaine Chevillard, who let him have 2 hectares of vines. A new winegrower was born.
Nicolas later took on plots of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir perched between 350 and 580 metres. The estate grew in Montmélian in 2014 with 15 ares of Bergeron, and with 20 ares of Roussette in Monthoux in 2015. His wife Marielle, always by his side, joined him full time in 2020 and shares this adventure every day.

The terroir of Savoie and its natural wines!

Respecting natural processes is the guiding principle of his vineyard work. His methods are as natural as possible, even "peasant" methods: Nicolas intervenes as little as possible on his soils and uses natural treatments such as herbal teas or nettles to strengthen the vines.
To go further, Nicolas draws on biodynamics to keep his soils and vines healthy, a natural approach that appeals to more and more winegrowers for its benefits to living soils and healthy vines. At Domaine des Côtes Rousses everything is done by hand, always respecting the land for better quality. Part of the vineyard work is also done with a horse, which allows full weeding without chemicals. For Nicolas, knowing the terroir and peasant practices are essential to master the wine and let the terroir shine through in each cuvée.

Winemaking at Domaine des Côtes Rousses

Whenever possible, the wines are made without sulphur, so they stay as close as possible to their terroir. In the same spirit, they are bottled unfiltered. The vines are farmed organically, work that was rewarded with organic certification in 2016. For Nicolas, it is essential to support local, organic winegrowing and fellow growers who proudly respect their terroir. Convinced of the mysteries of nature and what it brings him every day, Nicolas questions his work every season and every vintage, while sharing his passion for wine and farming with those who taste and enjoy his wines.

The cuvées of Domaine des Côtes Rousses

Like their terroirs, most of the grapes are typically Savoyard: Jacquère, Altesse and Bergeron for the whites, and Mondeuse, Pinot Noir and Gamay for the reds. The whites are vinified on their full lees, while the reds are made with whole bunches and light macerations.
The style of Domaine des Côtes Rousses is fresh, sleek and mineral. La Pente, named after the steep marl-limestone slopes where the vines grow, gives Jacquère the mineral, fresh side of its terroir.
A nod to his family's mountain and farming past, Nicolas makes a Jacquère called Armenaz, after the mountain pasture where his grandparents kept their herds of Tarine cows. A wine with character, mineral with a hint of salinity! Also available in magnum.
To thank everyone who helped Marielle and Nicolas with their first harvest in 2014, the estate offers a 100% Altesse cuvée, Ensemble ("together"), aromatic and easy to drink.
Mon Blanc is mostly Chardonnay grown in a mountain climate, with the freshness and minerality typical of Savoie.
Verre-tige, a 100% Roussanne from the Chignin-Bergeron appellation, combines the freshness and richness of its terroir with the power of the grape.
Montagnes Rousses, named after the russet clay slopes of Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte, is a typical red Savoie wine: a fresh Mondeuse with supple, fruity tannins.
Also from Mondeuse, the region's emblematic grape, Coteau de la Mort shows a fine picture of its terroir with finesse, concentration and ageing potential.
Nicolas Ferrand is one of the winegrowers revolutionising and energising the Savoie vineyards by showcasing a magnificent terroir. Discover it all on Epi-curieux.com.