La Cordée Blanche
COUNTRY: France
REGION: Savoie
La Cordée Blanche is run by Cyril, a native of Thorens-Glières north of Annecy, and his partner Ylan from nearby Veyrier-du-Lac. Cyril studied rural law before turning to farming, working from 2018 with biodynamic grower Philippe Héritier and later with Bruno Lupin in Frangy, focusing on agronomy and living soils, avoiding ploughing in favor of controlled cover crops. Ylan trained as an engineer before studying viticulture in Beaune, then worked in Sweden, the Loire and Savoie, including time with Jean-Yves Péron. At the domaine he manages the cellar, sales and administration, complementing Cyril’s vineyard work.
They met in 2020 and took over vineyards near Frangy, between Annecy and Geneva. The estate now spans about seven hectares, largely Altesse with some Mondeuse, including steep parcels worked entirely by hand and older vines up to 70 years old. Most vineyards lie in the south-facing Frangy cru of Roussette de Savoie, with additional plantings in Veyrier-du-Lac. The first vintage was 2023 and the wines were released only after extended élevage, aiming for a precise, classical expression of Savoie white wines.
CUVÉES
“Bel Air”
Appellation: Roussette de Savoie Cru Frangy
Grape: Altesse
Vineyard: Soils - clay, limestone, molassic sandstone, stoney glacial moraine. Full south exposure, 350-450m altitude
Winemaking: direct press, 24h settling, fermentation in enameled steel tanks, aged on lees 7 months
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 1g during winter
“Les Allicots”
Appellation: Roussette de Savoie Cru Frangy
Grape: Altesse
Vineyard: Soils - clay, limestone, molassic sandstone, stoney glacial moraine. Full south exposure, mid-slope, steepest parcel, 400m altitude
Winemaking: direct press, 24h settling, fermentation started in tanks then moved to used oak barrels, aged 2 years in used barrels
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 1.5g after malolactic fermentation
“La Combe”
Appellation: Roussette de Savoie Cru Frangy
Grape: Altesse
Vineyard: Soils - clay, limestone, molassic sandstone, stoney glacial moraine. Full south exposure, mid-slope bowl shaped hallow parcel, 400m altitude
Winemaking: direct press, 24h settling, fermentation in enameled steel tanks, aged on lees 12 months
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 1g during winter
“Bataillon”
Appellation: Vin de Savoie
Grape: Mondeuse
Vineyard: Soils - clay, limestone, molassic sandstone, stoney glacial moraine. Full south exposure, very steep slope (up to 70%), 400m
Winemaking: de-stemmed, 10 day maceration, a few pump-overs to aerate the must and wet the cap, racked, pressed, blend of free-run and pressed wine, transferred to barrels after malolactic fermentation. Aged 7 months on the less in used oak barrels
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
