Dominique Belluard

Dominique Belluard took over his family’s estate in 1988. Here in the wine district of Ayse, in the Savoie region of eastern France, Dominique pioneered the vitalization of the area’s indigenous variety Gringet. – the world’s only remaining vines – from virtual obscurity to world class, terroir driven, sparkling wines.

Gringet is a remarkable grape, thought to be present since ancient Roman times, whose unique qualities are truly expressed through the terroir of Savoie. The soils of the estate are iron-rich, with a mix of clay and limestone, thriving on sunny, south facing hills just 30 miles from the famous Mont Blanc. Gringet’s beautiful combination of delicate florality, citrus and savoury fennel/herbs. It’s marked by high acidity making it an ideal sparkling wine grape.

Dominique became known as the ‘Savoir of Gringet’ in his meticulous work with his 10 hectares of bio-dynamically farmed vines and hand’s off approach in the cellar with a preference for concrete eggs and clay amphora for vinification as opposed to stainless steel.

And the wines became more vibrant, precise and energetic year after year.

Sadly, Dominique passed suddenly in June 2021, leaving the estate in an unfinished season. That autumn his wife Valerie decided not to vinify the 2021 vintage and to sell the harvest to a handful of winemaker friends: Jean Claud Lapalu, Mattieu Barret, Jean-Francois Ganevat, Fabrice Dodane, Nicolas Jacob, Jean-Marie Berrux and Theo Dancer.

With the absence of a suitable successor in the Belluard family the decision was made to sell the estate. However, Valerie was steadfast in her commitment that the estate should be passed not to an investor or a brand, but to someone who would perpetuate the work of Dominique and his team: a winegrower, a craftsman.

After much consideration, Valerie met Vincent Ruiz through his work with Frank Balthazar in the south Ardeche and a match was made. Vincent was charmed by the place and the uniqueness of Gringet while Valerie saw in Vincent sensitivity, determination and dynamism – the fundamental qualities necessary to continue the adventure of the estate.

Thus began a new chapter for Gringet. Led by Vincent, the winegrower and winer maker, and a team including Frank Balthazar, Raphael Bennour, and Miguel Sarzier, who bring their respective expertise in agronomy, oenology, administration, finance and sales to the project: Domaine du Gringet.

The story of Gringet continues…….