Les Grangeons de l’Albarine ‘La Grangeon Mano’ Blanc 2022
Location: France, Savoie, Bugey
Winemaker: Luc Bauer
Grapes: Chardonnay
From the Importer Jeffrey Alpert Selections: Luc Bauer’s lifelong passion for nature initially steered him towards agronomy—having worked in the grain industry for a number of years—before shifting careers to that of a vigneron. While Luc’s childhood was spent just south of the Beaujolais, his passion for wine was ironically sparked later in life after he married his wife Clémence, who grew up in Alsace. The wonder and passion with which Clémence’s family spoke of the small-estate Alsatian winemakers resonated with Luc deeply; before long, Luc signed up for a wine course at Mâcon Davayé in 2008 and began to work at various domaines in France and Canada, such as with the Bret Brothers and Philippe Jambon. Luc began to sell his first vintage in 2011 and quickly developed a loyal customer base that admired his method of making wines. Fast forward a few years, and Luc’s life changed drastically, having suffered a stroke at only 34 years old. During the difficult road ahead, Luc’s fellow organic winemakers support him and tended his wines while he was recovering. Terrible frosts arrived in Bugey in April of 2017, just as Luc was enjoying his return to the vineyards; he was luckily able to save a tiny portion of his crop, and the following vintage (2018) thankfully proved to be bountiful. Each vintage has seen Luc improve greatly, and not surprisingly his cuvées have been on acclaimed wine lists worldwide such as Noma. He is a dedicated grower who tends to his two hectares with care. He picks all grapes by hand, never chaptalizes, and has a penchant for long less-aging in old barriques and demi-muids. Generally quite low in alcohol, Luc’s wines are generous, lithe expressions of Bugey. Les Grangeons de L’Albarine has been certified organic since 2014 and become Demeter certified in 2020.
Location: France, Savoie, Bugey
Winemaker: Luc Bauer
Grapes: Chardonnay
From the Importer Jeffrey Alpert Selections: Luc Bauer’s lifelong passion for nature initially steered him towards agronomy—having worked in the grain industry for a number of years—before shifting careers to that of a vigneron. While Luc’s childhood was spent just south of the Beaujolais, his passion for wine was ironically sparked later in life after he married his wife Clémence, who grew up in Alsace. The wonder and passion with which Clémence’s family spoke of the small-estate Alsatian winemakers resonated with Luc deeply; before long, Luc signed up for a wine course at Mâcon Davayé in 2008 and began to work at various domaines in France and Canada, such as with the Bret Brothers and Philippe Jambon. Luc began to sell his first vintage in 2011 and quickly developed a loyal customer base that admired his method of making wines. Fast forward a few years, and Luc’s life changed drastically, having suffered a stroke at only 34 years old. During the difficult road ahead, Luc’s fellow organic winemakers support him and tended his wines while he was recovering. Terrible frosts arrived in Bugey in April of 2017, just as Luc was enjoying his return to the vineyards; he was luckily able to save a tiny portion of his crop, and the following vintage (2018) thankfully proved to be bountiful. Each vintage has seen Luc improve greatly, and not surprisingly his cuvées have been on acclaimed wine lists worldwide such as Noma. He is a dedicated grower who tends to his two hectares with care. He picks all grapes by hand, never chaptalizes, and has a penchant for long less-aging in old barriques and demi-muids. Generally quite low in alcohol, Luc’s wines are generous, lithe expressions of Bugey. Les Grangeons de L’Albarine has been certified organic since 2014 and become Demeter certified in 2020.
Location: France, Savoie, Bugey
Winemaker: Luc Bauer
Grapes: Chardonnay
From the Importer Jeffrey Alpert Selections: Luc Bauer’s lifelong passion for nature initially steered him towards agronomy—having worked in the grain industry for a number of years—before shifting careers to that of a vigneron. While Luc’s childhood was spent just south of the Beaujolais, his passion for wine was ironically sparked later in life after he married his wife Clémence, who grew up in Alsace. The wonder and passion with which Clémence’s family spoke of the small-estate Alsatian winemakers resonated with Luc deeply; before long, Luc signed up for a wine course at Mâcon Davayé in 2008 and began to work at various domaines in France and Canada, such as with the Bret Brothers and Philippe Jambon. Luc began to sell his first vintage in 2011 and quickly developed a loyal customer base that admired his method of making wines. Fast forward a few years, and Luc’s life changed drastically, having suffered a stroke at only 34 years old. During the difficult road ahead, Luc’s fellow organic winemakers support him and tended his wines while he was recovering. Terrible frosts arrived in Bugey in April of 2017, just as Luc was enjoying his return to the vineyards; he was luckily able to save a tiny portion of his crop, and the following vintage (2018) thankfully proved to be bountiful. Each vintage has seen Luc improve greatly, and not surprisingly his cuvées have been on acclaimed wine lists worldwide such as Noma. He is a dedicated grower who tends to his two hectares with care. He picks all grapes by hand, never chaptalizes, and has a penchant for long less-aging in old barriques and demi-muids. Generally quite low in alcohol, Luc’s wines are generous, lithe expressions of Bugey. Les Grangeons de L’Albarine has been certified organic since 2014 and become Demeter certified in 2020.