Domaine Giachino
Domaine Giachino & Prieuré Saint Christophe
On November 24th, 1248, the north face of Mt. Granier let loose and 500 million cubic meters of limestone spilled into the valley, completely destroying 5 villages, severely damaging 2 more and killing hundreds of people. This massive landslide is an ancient tragedy with a modern day silver lining. The rockfall created an amazing terroir for vines. A number of centuries later (yet still centuries ago), the Giachino family began farming vines on this terroir to supplement the cereals, nuts and fruits they were farming in the Grésivaudan plain. In 1988, Frédéric took over these 1.5HA of vines and dedicated himself to wine production. Over the years the farming evolved until becoming completely organic in 2006, the same year his brother David joined the domaine. Biodynamics soon followed. They initially worked with the familiar varieties of Jacquère, Mondeuse, Gamay and Altesse. But the thinking here evolved as well, likely due to the friendship with Michel Grisard, who advocated for older varieties of the region. Soon Giachino began working with Persan, Etraire de la Duy, Mondeuse Blanche, Verdesse, etc.
In 2015, the friendship with Grissard yielded yet more fruit. Michel decided to retire from his iconic domiane, Prieuré Saint-Christophe. He selected the Giachino family to take over his vines and carry on the deep tradition he started - no small compliment from a man as thoughtful, particular and talented as Michel Grissard.
Domaine Giachino is a model of how purely a domaine can be run. The philosophy of sustainability and stewardship is considered with each decision and maintained throughout each part of the process. The fact that the wines are so delicious is a bonus and also an affirmation that virtuous actions can lead to righteous wines.
Domaine Giachino ‘Giac Bulles’ Pet Nat
It makes such perfect sense for every domaine to have a pet nat. I'm sure there were a lot of exploding bottles while each domaine figured out the methode ancestrale style, but we love it and are so glad it's back in fashion here in the U.S. Giachino's is as fresh and bright and crisp as you would imagine - but not austere. It has some richness to balance it out.
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Domaine Giachino ‘Primitif’ Vin de Savoie
A wine meant to reflect the old traditions of the region. It is picked early and comes in at very low alcohol, usually around 9%. Think fresh mountain air and alpine streams.
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Domaine Giachino ‘Monfarina’ Vin de Savoie
A delightful wine that is the go-to daily drinker for us from Giachino. It has lovely texture that reminds one a little of Chenin Blanc but the flavors and overall vibe are more alpine. The name comes from a traditional Piedmontese Folk Dance - the one you do with a bunch of people after drinking joyous wine...
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Domaine Giachino ‘Frères Giac’ IGP Coteaux du Grésivaudan
This cuvée comes from a vineyard further down in the valley on soils that are sandy with more glacial moraine and less clay and limestone. The site sits beyond the area covered by the huge rockfall that came off of Mt. Granier in 770. This terroir produces a softer, more ethereal wine.
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Domaine Giachino ‘Giac Potes’ Vin de Savoie
Aptly named, this wine really nails it for us. The surly monduese comes through clearly but the Gamay softens the edges and lends some brevity. If we had to choose just one wine from Giachino to drink on a regular basis, this would be it.
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Domaine Giachino ‘Black Giac’ Vin de Savoie
Mondeuse is having a moment. New bottlings from California are popping up and more vineyards here are being planted to the variety every year. This wine will elucidate the reason for the excitement. Mondeuse is a grape that does what only a few grapes out there can do - it combines power and delicacy in a savory, lithe frame. Kind of like Syrah (a relative) but totally different too.
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Domaine Giachino ‘Persan’ Vin de Savoie
If Monduese is having a moment now, look to the not-too-distant future for Persan to have its own moment. According to the fascinating tome 'Wine Grapes', Persan is a parent or sibling of Etraire de la Duy and a relative of Syrah and Monduese. It certainly feels like that is the case. The name comes from a locale in Savoie that has been known throughout history to be a great terroir and it was planted almost exclusively to Persan way back when. As usual, the old timers knew the score and planted this noble variety in the best spots. We can't wait to see what the future holds for Persan. Giachino is definitely doing their part to raise it back to its former place of glory.
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Domaine Prieuré Saint-Christophe Blanc Vin de Savoie
Michel Grisard created Prieuré St. Christophe in the the late 1970's with one goal in mind: make a truly great wine from Mondeuse. His journey led him to Biodynamics decades before most and brought harsh judgment from many of his peers. But he succeeded. And along the way, he planted Altesse and made a truly great white wine to stand beside his Mondeuse. In 2015, Michel decided to retire. One gets the sense than no decision was made lightly by Michel, so it follows that his successor was carefully handpicked. The Giachino family now farms these old vines and makes the wines under the Prieuré St. Christophe label. The torch is in capable hands. These are benchmark wines that show the nobility of the varieties and the terroir. We think they would make Michel proud. Here we have the Altesse.
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Domaine Prieuré Saint-Christophe Rouge Vin de Savoie
Michel Grisard created Prieuré St. Christophe in the late 1970's with one goal in mind: make a truly great wine from Mondeuse. His journey led him to Biodynamics decades before most and brought harsh judgment from many of his peers. But he succeeded. And along the way, he planted Altesse and made a truly great white wine to stand beside his Mondeuse. In 2015, Michel decided to retire. One gets the sense than no decision was made lightly by Michel, so it follows that his successor was carefully handpicked. The Giachino family now farms these old vines and makes the wines under the Prieuré St. Christophe label. The torch is in capable hands. These are benchmark wines that show the nobility of the varieties and the terroir. We think they would make Michel proud. Here we have the Mondeuse.