Claude Quenard & Fils

The estate began as a farm belonging to the Chartreux monks. In 1906, the buildings and vine-bearing land were bought from the Pères Chartreux. Claude Quenard took over in 1957, grandson of the original buyer. Cereals gave way to vines in 1981, five hectares specialized into viticulture. His sons followed. André arrived in 1987 with a BTS in Viticulture Œnologie from Beaune, Guy in 1990 with a BTS Technico Commercial en vins from Montpellier. The property grew to 14 hectares by 1993. Organic conversion launched in 2000, the first Chardonnay from organic fruit released in 2003, the whole estate converted by 2007. A natural wine, Sansoufrir, followed in 2012, the same year dynamized biodynamic preparations began. Demeter certification started in 2016. Fifteen hectares now farm organically, southeast of Chambéry in the Parc naturel régional des Bauges, on stony scree at 350 meters. No enzymes, no added yeasts. Malolactic fermentation throughout. Late-bottled reds go unfiltered.