France
Maninalto 2019 – Savoie Edition
Vintage 2019 | Savoie & Gaillac, France | Jacquère & Loin de l’Oeil | Skin-Contact White Wine
After exploring reds and experimenting with maceration, 2019 marked my return to white wine—but not just any white. This is the Savoie edition of Maninalto, born from a mix of unexpected opportunities, last-minute miracles, and a love story with the Alps.
My fascination with Savoie started through the stories of a close friend who dreamed of returning to her homeland after working in Burgundy. Eventually, she did—and I have no doubt we’ll make beautiful wines together there in the future.
A Hailstorm, a Surprise, and 600 Kilos of Grapes
2019 was far from easy for growers in Savoie. A severe hailstorm in early May left producers unsure whether there would even be a harvest.
Fast forward to early September. Just as I had given up hope, my phone rang.
“I have grapes for you.”
It was Sylvain from Domaine des 13 Lunes, and I’ll never forget the smile those words brought to my face.
That’s how I got my hands on 600 kg of Jacquère grapes, grown organically in the heart of Savoie.
A Tale of Two Grapes
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Jacquère: Skin-macerated for 1 month in stainless steel
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Loin de l’Oeil (from Gaillac): Also 1 month on skins, then aged in old neutral oak barrels
At first, I wasn’t satisfied with either wine on its own. But blending them? That changed everything.
The result: a skin-contact white wine that’s deep, structured, and balanced, with Alpine freshness and Southern texture.
Vinification & Details
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Grapes: Jacquère (Savoie) & Loin de l’Oeil (Gaillac)
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Skin contact: 1 month for both varieties
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Aging: Stainless steel (Jacquère), old barrel (Loin de l’Oeil)
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Spontaneous fermentation, no additives
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Unfiltered, unfined, no added sulfites
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Alcohol: 10,5%
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Bottle size: 0.75 L
Tasting Notes
Golden-hued and expressive, this wine opens with aromas of alpine herbs, citrus peel, and dried flowers. The palate is layered with savory tannins, lively acidity, and a long mineral finish. A wine with tension, texture, and a story in every sip.
Finishing Touches
This year, I decided to skip the industrial wax and go fully natural—even for the bottle seal.
Thanks to Luc Béziat, a talented photographer and part-time organic apiarist, I had access to beautiful natural beeswax. To make it even more personal, we infused it with a hint of our own organic saffron, adding not just color, but meaning.
Because for me, Maninalto is never just about the wine inside the bottle—it’s about every choice, every detail, and every person who helps bring the story to life.
This is my Savoie interpretation. Hope you enjoy it as much as I loved making it.