Domaine Trichon: organic wines in the Bugey region

Located in the picturesque Bugey region of France, Domaine Trichon is the proud home of Claire and Stéphane Trichon. Stéphane, a graduate of the viticulture-oenology program in Beaune, and Claire, from a family of Rhône Valley vintners, have chosen to return to Stéphane’s native region to manage the family vineyard. As the third generation of winemakers in his family, Stéphane carries on a rich legacy of viticulture.

Available directly from the estate on Avenue des Vins.

How did you approach taking over the family vineyard?

Organic winemaking: tradition meets innovation

Upon taking over Domaine Trichon, Claire and Stéphane embarked on a transformative journey. Their primary focus was to convert the vineyard to organic farming, a challenging but rewarding endeavor in the Bugey region, known for its harsh climate. This commitment to sustainability builds on the vineyard’s tradition of minimal pesticide and herbicide use.

The ethos of organic farming was already in place when we arrived, thanks to Stéphane's parents and grandparents. We took it a step further by seeking official organic certification

Claire explains.

Spanning 13 hectares of cultivated land and 12 hectares in production, Domaine Trichon is renowned for its wines, which feature rich, ripe flavors and distinctive smoky notes from the flint-limestone soils.

Our goal is to create wines that are easily recognizable to our clients. Taking over a family estate requires balancing tradition with new approaches, which is why we’ve retained many of the familiar elements while introducing improvements.

What is the story behind your new Chardonnay cuvée?

A unique Chardonnay experiment

Stéphane and Claire recently embarked on an exciting project: vinifying 350 liters of Chardonnay in an oak barrel. This innovative experiment is set to produce a new cuvée.

Our team accidentally left half of the Chardonnay plot unharvested, so we picked it several weeks later. The late harvest provided an opportunity for a unique wine. Since the rest of our Chardonnay was already fermenting, we decided to try barrel aging this batch. This method, common in Burgundy but less so in Bugey, has been on our radar for a while.

This experiment highlights the couple’s ambition to elevate the Bugey region’s reputation, showcasing its potential to both industry professionals and wine enthusiasts. Claire and Stéphane actively promote the Bugey appellation at wine fairs across France, striving to bring greater recognition to their beloved region.

Discover the wines of Domaine Trichon directly from the estate, at the estate price, in a short supply chain on Avenue des Vins.

Frequently asked questions about Domaine Trichon

Where is Domaine Trichon located?

The estate sits in the Bugey, a low-profile vineyard area tucked between Savoie and the Jura. Claire and Stéphane Trichon farm plots spread across close to 13 hectares there.

Are Domaine Trichon wines organic?

Yes, the vineyard holds organic certification. Stéphane's family already kept pesticides and weedkillers to a minimum, and the couple went further by securing official certification, still uncommon in the Bugey.

Where do the smoky notes in Trichon wines come from?

They stem from the flint and limestone soils the vines grow in. That terroir marks the wines, which also keep their concentration thanks to fully ripe grapes.

Who runs Domaine Trichon?

Claire and Stéphane Trichon. Trained in viticulture and oenology in Beaune, Stéphane is the third generation of his family at the estate; Claire herself grew up among winemakers in the Rhône Valley.

What new cuvée is the estate preparing?

The couple is aging 350 litres of Chardonnay in an oak barrel, a method common in Burgundy but rarely tried in the Bugey. This late-harvest wine should become a cuvée of its own.