In the heart

of

Brouilly appellation

Since 1888 the Fessy family has been based in the heart of the Brouilly appellation.

Over the years they have purchased choice parcels of vineyards in most of the 10 Crus and the Beaujolais-Villages appellations to create the enviable domain that we have today of nearly 70 hectares of prime vineyards.

Work in our vineyards is carried out with sensitivity and intelligence and we only intervene when necessary.

This philosophy allows us to produce highly characterful wines which express a real sense of place and origin. We offer the full range of Beaujolais wines from our own vineyards each expressing their own unique terroir.

Experience, tradition, respect and an in-depth knowledge of the Beaujolais vineyards go hand in hand making Henry Fessy a respected quality-driven domain.

  • Laurent Chevalier,

    Director & Winemaker

Since 1888

in the heart of the “Paradise”

In 1888 a travelling salesman called Jean Pelissier decided to buy a parcel of Brouilly right in the heart of the "Paradis" vineyards on the Bel Air plateau. He joined forces with his son-in-law Henri Fessy with the objective of creating excellent wines.

During the second half of the 20th century, his sons and grandsons succeeded developing the company thanks to the diversification of appellations.

To commemorate the centenary of the family winery, Henry and Serges, creator's grandsons, known for their generous French moustaches, have decided to immortalize the facial trademark as the official logo.

Following its purchase in 2008 by Maison Louis Latour, owners of land and the eponymous brand in Burgundy, a decision was taken to continue acquiring parcels of vineyards, primarily in the ten Beaujolais Crus.

Vinification

For a traditional method

Henry Fessy has remained faithful to the traditional method (no carbon) which favours the balance between the seductive fruit-forwardness and the supple tannins which guarantee good ageing capability.

Grapes are transported in little bucket in the winery, before being sorted, de-stemmed and then they fall into cement and steel tanks for approximately a week.

The length of the fermentation depends considerably on the vintage. The wines will then age in vat for between 7-10 months before being bottled the following spring.


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Beaujolais

The Beaujolais region enjoys a semi-continental temperate climate characterised by hard winters (although rarely with extreme cold) and hot and dry summers. The vines face mainly south and south-east and are therefore protected from the westerly winds and enjoy prolonged sunshine from spring to autumn due to a slight Mediterranean influence. Some vineyards stand out because of their topography, altitude or highly specific soil-type; in these specific cases that we refer to "microclimates".

The Beaujolais soils are rich in schist and granite. The concentration of granite is particularly dense in the northern part of the region where we find the 10 Beaujolais Crus. To the south the soil is mainly made up of clay-limestone sedimentary deposit. These are poor stony soils.

There are 4 main classifications of soil:
. Granite and sand (primary soils) forming acidic, sandy soils which are poor in clay. These thin, filtering soils are found in the Beaujolais-Villages vineyards but also in the Chiroubles appellation.
. Crystalline and mineral-rich soils (iron, potassium, manganese) which give some wines a certain characteristic. The soils of the Morgon appellation are made-up of blue-green rocks rich in Manganese.
. Jurassic soils (secondary soils), which are stony and calcareous allowing coolness and moisture. These shallow and stony soils are present in the Beaujolais appellation.
. The tertiary and quaternary soils differ from those listed before because of their lack of limestone and deep clay. These soils are also found in many of the Beaujolais AOC appellations.

Grape Varieties

Gamay

The only varietal used for red wines in the Beaujolais is Gamay which takes its name from a small village in the Côte d'Or. This early budding varietal is characterized by its compact bunches of black-skinned, white-juiced grapes. The resulting wines are delicate, round and very fruity with an elegant bouquet. Beaujolais, land of preference for this varietal, represents 70% of all the Gamay planted in the world. There is also Gamay planted in small quantities in other regions of France like in the Loire Valley and in other countries such as Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, Canada and California.

Chardonnay

Only 600 hectares of Chardonnay are planted in the Beaujolais region representing less than 3% of all grapes grown in the area. To the north the vineyards lie mainly on granite and flint soils and to the south-west on clay-limestone soils, this terroir produces a Chardonnay of great finesse, revealing notes of white flowers and acacia on the nose and yellow fruits, notably mirabelle plums, in the mouth.

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Mâconnais

The Mâconnais vineyard marks the southern border of the Burgundy region. The most southerly vineyard of the region, it covers an area of 50 kilometers long between Sennecey-Le-Grand and Saint-Véran. It is defined by two collapsing sumps: the Grosne valley from West to North, and the Saône valley to the East. The vineyard's East/Southeast exposure is suitable for grape production. The relief reveals first a series of gentle hills and then heightens when we move south. A series of gentle hills covers first the vineyard but as we move south, it becomes more marked finishing in the rock-crowned masses. It is precisely on these lofty slopes that is harvested one of the greatest white wines of Burgundy: the famous Pouilly-Fuissé and Pouilly-Vinzelles

The Mâconnais enjoys a continental climate, typical of this region which offers a suitable foothold to the vines. The Mediterranean influences from the Rhône furrow bring richness to the vineyard while the microclimate of the Saône valley balances the last one. The climate, milder than that of northern Burgundy, offers the raisins a perfect maturity.

This huge wine-making area is made up of different classification of soils: clay, limestone and granite. The north of the region is mainly composed of clay and limestone. Southerly, close to the Beaujolais region, the soil is mostly made up of volcanic rocks and granite.

There are 3 main classifications of soils:
. Clay-limestone and marly-calcareous soils coming from the alteration of Jurassic sedimentary layers (Pouilly-Fuissé, Pouilly-Loché).
. Silica clayey soil made up of granitic and volcanic bedrock, present where the Mâconnais rocks are very eroded (Saint -Véran).
. Rendzina soil, typical of friable/crumbly limestone rocks (less deep and humus-bearing soils) (Mâcon Cruzille, Mâcon Burgy).

The diversity and richness of the sub-soils of Mâconnais suit perfectly to Chardonnay and bring to white wines a top-quality and rich aromas. The Mâconnais wines offer a huge range of flavors: charming muscat-like notes mix very-well with subtle floral aromas. White fruit notes and almond aromas lead to elegant and fine/subtle wine, while pleasant lemon notes reveal the potential of this terroir.

Grape Varieties

Chardonnay

Only 217 hectares of Chardonnay are planted on an alternation of hard (limestone) and soft (marne) layers in the Mâconnais representing 75% of all grapes grown. This grape variety found its ideal soil in this region. Planted southerly than that of Côte d'Or, Chardonnay offers suppler wines with a lovely acidity. The Chardonnay of the Mâconnais reveals charming aromas, laced with floral and citrus notes.

Terroirs

Beaujolais & Mâconnais

Beaujolais

Close to Lyon, the splendid Beaujolais region stretches from the Pierres Dorées in the south, to the Roche du Solutré at the border with the Mâcon area. With ten Crus, its twelve appellations show the perfect union between a granitic soil and a grape variety perfectly adapted to it.

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Mâconnais

Paradise for Chardonnay, the Mâconnais area goes over 50 km in the south of the Côte d'Or, from Sennecey-le-Grand to Saint-Vérand. With contrasting landscape, alternating valley and steep cliff, this region offers elegant, rich and aromatic wines.

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