Portraits of winemakers

DOMAINE TRICHON: ORGANIC WINES IN THE BUGEY REGION

Domaine Trichon: A Legacy of Organic Winemaking in the Bugey Region

Located in the picturesque Bugey region of France, Domaine Trichon is the proud home of Claire and Stéphane Trichon. Stéphane, a graduate of the viticulture-oenology program in Beaune, and Claire, from a family of Rhône Valley vintners, have chosen to return to Stéphane’s native region to manage the family vineyard. As the third generation of winemakers in his family, Stéphane carries on a rich legacy of viticulture.

Organic Winemaking: Tradition Meets Innovation

Upon taking over Domaine Trichon, Claire and Stéphane embarked on a transformative journey. Their primary focus was to convert the vineyard to organic farming—a challenging but rewarding endeavor in the Bugey region, known for its harsh climate. This commitment to sustainability builds on the vineyard’s tradition of minimal pesticide and herbicide use.

"The ethos of organic farming was already in place when we arrived, thanks to Stéphane's parents and grandparents. We took it a step further by seeking official organic certification," Claire explains.

Spanning 13 hectares of cultivated land and 12 hectares in production, Domaine Trichon is renowned for its wines, which feature rich, ripe flavors and distinctive smoky notes from the flint-limestone soils.

"Our goal is to create wines that are easily recognizable to our clients. Taking over a family estate requires balancing tradition with new approaches, which is why we’ve retained many of the familiar elements while introducing improvements."

A Unique Chardonnay Experiment

Stéphane and Claire recently embarked on an exciting project: vinifying 350 liters of Chardonnay in an oak barrel. This innovative experiment is set to produce a new cuvée.

"Our team accidentally left half of the Chardonnay plot unharvested, so we picked it several weeks later. The late harvest provided an opportunity for a unique wine. Since the rest of our Chardonnay was already fermenting, we decided to try barrel aging this batch. This method, common in Burgundy but less so in Bugey, has been on our radar for a while."

This experiment highlights the couple’s ambition to elevate the Bugey region’s reputation, showcasing its potential to both industry professionals and wine enthusiasts. Claire and Stéphane actively promote the Bugey appellation at wine fairs across France, striving to bring greater recognition to their beloved region.