Description
The small, sleepy village of Aiton high in the hills of Savoie holds over 300 years of winemaking history, yet nearly ceased its wine-producing story. At the end of WW2, there was over 200 hectares under vine. Fast forward to 2016, and Maxime Dancoine took over the domaine of Bernard and Marido Bachellier, the last remaining vignerons in Aiton. Inspired by the potential for quality and with a drive to continue the region is Maxime’s raison d’être for Domaine L’Aitonnement.
The domaine has always been worked organically, and with Maxime’s arrival introduced biodynamic practices to both the vineyards and cellar. The focus is upon local Savoyard varieties – principally Jacquère, Mondeuse Noire, and Altesse – along with revitalising plantings of varieties of yesteryear such as Douce Noire, Persan, Jourbertin Noir, Blanc de Maurienne, Mondeuse Grise, Mondeuse Blanc and Etraire de la D’hui.
Aiton is known for its incredibly steep slopes – up to 70% inclines – which are bathed in sunshine due to their southern exposure. Such hills make it impossible to work by tractor, and continue to become increasingly difficult to work as available labour further diminishes. The soils are incredibly shallow, at 5-35cm, and composed of gray limestone and degraded schist. Maxime’s approach in the cellar is one of minimal intervention – the only sulphur additions coming at filtration, if needed, or bottling.
