Graillot brothers making organic Beaujolais from Fleurie and Saint Amour, with whole cluster fermentation in concrete.
The producer
Antoine and Maxime Graillot established Domaine de Fa after acquiring organically farmed sites in Fleurie and Saint Amour. The winery works from Tournon-sur-Rhône, in Alain Graillot's mother's former summer cottage and family residence. The domaine takes its name from Faye, where an old stable became a cuverie. Whole clusters ferment in concrete with semi carbonic maceration and indigenous yeasts. The range includes Beaujolais En Besset and Fleurie Roche Guillon.
Known for
Organic whole cluster Beaujolais
Notable facts
All of the domaine's vineyard sites were certified organic in 2019.
The winery occupies a gravity fed micro winery in Alain Graillot's mother's former summer cottage and family residence in Tournon-sur-Rhône.
The wines use whole clusters, concrete, semi carbonic maceration and indigenous yeasts for a maximum of 10 days.
Roche Guillon is among the highest vineyard sites in Fleurie at 360+ meters.
The story
From Rhône to Beaujolais
In 1985 Alain Graillot returned to Crozes-Hermitage after working with Jacques Seysses at Domaine Dujac and established Domaine Alain Graillot, a Syrah focused domaine. His sons Maxime and Antoine took over in 2008, continuing their father's winemaking philosophy. The brothers later acquired organically farmed sites in Fleurie and Saint Amour and established Domaine de Fa. The family's Beaujolais venture brought the Graillot name into a separate set of crus and vineyard sites.
From the atlas
Domaine de Fa A&M Graillot
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Beaujolais
Appellations
Fleurie, Saint Amour, Beaujolais
Bottles
Beaujolais En Besset 2022, Fleurie Roche Guillon 2022
Defining feature
Organic vineyard sites, whole cluster fermentation in concrete
The Producer
Antoine and Maxime Graillot established Domaine de Fa in 2013 after acquiring organically farmed vineyard sites in Fleurie and Saint Amour. Their winery is a gravity fed micro winery in Tournon-sur-Rhône, housed in the former summer cottage and family residence of Alain Graillot's mother.
The domaine's name comes from Faye, the place where the brothers converted an old stable into a cuverie. Wines are made with whole clusters in concrete, using semi carbonic maceration and indigenous yeasts.
Place
Fleurie and Saint Amour are the Beaujolais crus where the brothers acquired their vineyard sites. Roche Guillon is a single vineyard in Fleurie, among the appellation's highest vineyard sites at 360+ meters. Higher vineyards generally ripen more slowly, which can preserve freshness in the grapes.
Wines
The named red wines are Beaujolais En Besset 2022 and Fleurie Roche Guillon 2022. En Besset is the Beaujolais bottling, while Roche Guillon is a single vineyard Fleurie. Fleurie Roche Guillon 2022 has a three year drinking window.
In The Glass
Beaujolais En Besset 2022 has an altitude shaped, taut feel while remaining easy drinking and quietly sophisticated. Fleurie Roche Guillon 2022 shows black cherries, dried Bing cherries, almond skin and fresh sage. The wine is complex and luxurious.
A Bottle To Understand It
Open Beaujolais En Besset 2022 first. It carries Beaujolais on the label, while Fleurie Roche Guillon carries Fleurie and the Roche Guillon vineyard name. The two bottles move from appellation wine to single vineyard wine.
Final Word
Domaine de Fa is the Graillot brothers' Beaujolais domaine, with organic sites in Fleurie and Saint Amour, whole cluster fermentation in concrete, and bottles that move from Beaujolais En Besset to Fleurie Roche Guillon.