Switzerland · Vaud

Domaine La Colombe

Domaine La Colombe farms biodynamically in Féchy, making Chasselas as a Grand Cru still wine, skin maceration and ancestral sparkling wine.

The producer

Domaine La Colombe is a Paccot family domaine in Féchy, within Vaud's La Côte AOC. Biodynamic farming covers the vineyards, with hand harvested grapes, spontaneous fermentation and measured sulphur use in the cellar. Chasselas appears as Petit Clos Grand Cru, a still wine from a named plot, as Bérolon, a macerated white, and as De Facto, a natural sparkling wine made by the ancestral method. Laura Paccot took over in 2018 as the fourth generation.

Known for

Biodynamic Chasselas from Féchy

Notable facts

The story

The Coat Of Arms

In 1955, a visiting priest arrived at the cellar and asked for Jules Paccot. When Jules came out, the priest cried, “hello cousin!” The meeting helped the Paccots rediscover a family coat of arms that had been lost for centuries. In 1961, Roger Paccot decided to place that family heritage on the first La Colombe label. The first label carried the rediscovered coat of arms with the domaine's new name.

From the atlas

Domaine La Colombe

Domaine La Colombe in Féchy, Vaud, where biodynamic vineyards and Chasselas take still, macerated and ancestral sparkling forms.

At A Glance

FieldDetail
RegionVaud, Switzerland
AppellationLa Côte AOC
VillageFéchy
Main grapesChasselas, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Garanoir and Gamaret
Signature winePetit Clos Grand Cru Chasselas
Defining featureBiodynamic vineyards, spontaneous fermentation and measured sulphur use

The Producer

Domaine La Colombe is a Paccot family domaine based in Féchy, in Vaud's La Côte AOC. Biodynamic methods now cover the vineyards, with Chasselas at the centre of the current range. The domaine also cultivates Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Garanoir and Gamaret among its ten varieties.

The bottles give Chasselas three different roles. Petit Clos Grand Cru is a still wine from a named plot. Bérolon is made through maceration, allowing contact with grape skins to bring tannin into the wine. De Facto is a natural sparkling Chasselas made by the ancestral method, with fermentation continuing after bottling.

Place

Féchy lies in La Côte AOC between Lausanne and Geneva. The winery and most of the family's holdings are in Féchy, while the Petit Clos parcel lies in the neighbouring village of Mont-sur-Rolle.

Petit Clos comes from a separate plot, while the La Côte appellation covers the estate's still wine setting. Chasselas remains the common thread across the still, macerated and sparkling cuvées.

Soil And Site

Petit Clos sits at 510 metres on a steep slope with clay soil, old vines and protection from wind. The slope helps water move through the ground, while clay retains moisture for the vines. Elevation and wind protection support freshness, and the old vines give the plot a long established base for Chasselas.

Story

Jules Paccot bought vineyards in Féchy in 1917. His son Roger created La Colombe in 1961, turning the family holdings into a domaine with its own name and label.

Raymond Paccot returned to the estate in 1978 after several years of teaching and a trip to Africa. Laura Paccot took over in 2018 as the fourth generation. The handover divided the daily work between generations, with Laura focused on the vineyards and Raymond working in the cellar.

Biodynamic farming began progressively around 1999 to 2000 and now covers the vineyards. The estate no longer uses insecticides, allowing natural predators to return among the vines.

Vineyards And Cellar

The Vaud holdings now cover approximately 20 hectares. Grapes are quality sorted while still on the vine, harvested by hand and carried to the press in small open containers. Slow pneumatic pressing and static clarification precede spontaneous fermentation with yeasts carried on the grapes.

Sulphur is not added systematically. After maturation, the domaine may use a measured dose to protect a wine during bottling, with the amount determined by the condition of each wine.

The Pinot Noir and Gamay are typically made from nearly 40 year old vines on clay and limestone. About 60% whole clusters remain in the fermenter, meaning the stems stay with the grapes during fermentation. A long cold soak and ageing in neutral barriques complete the usual cellar treatment, with minimal sulphur added at bottling. Whole clusters can contribute perfume and tannin, while neutral oak allows the fruit and site to remain clear.

Wines

The current range moves through three Chasselas formats. Petit Clos Grand Cru Chasselas 2021 is a still white from the Petit Clos plot. Bérolon Nature Chasselas 2020 is the macerated white, with skin contact used to extract protective tannins and no sulphur added. De Facto Pet Nat 2023 is a sparkling wine made by the ancestral method.

For De Facto, bottling takes place while fermentation is still underway. The yeasts continue their work without additions, and the naturally released carbon dioxide forms the bubbles.

In The Glass

Petit Clos Chasselas has floral and stony aromas with a fresh almond note. The palate is straight, light and refreshing, with the plot's freshness carrying through the finish.

Bérolon brings aromas of pomace, a light tannic sensation and a chewy, grippy texture. Skin contact gives the white wine a firmer feel than a simply pressed Chasselas.

De Facto appears slightly cloudy with gentle effervescence. Green apple, citrus and white flowers sit beside a light yeast note recalling bread dough or cider. The mousse is lively, the body is light, and fresh acidity carries subtle fruit with a slightly funky edge into a refreshing, lightly mineral finish.

A Bottle To Understand It

Petit Clos Grand Cru Chasselas 2021 is the bottle to open first. It is a still Chasselas from one named plot in Mont-sur-Rolle, with old vines on a steep clay slope and a Grand Cru designation on the label.

The choice stays with one grape, one parcel and one still wine. Bérolon changes the texture through maceration, while De Facto changes the form through fermentation in the bottle. Petit Clos keeps the label focused on the vineyard and Chasselas itself.

Anecdote

In 1955, a visiting priest arrived at the cellar and asked for Jules Paccot. When Jules came out, the priest cried, “hello cousin!” The encounter helped the Paccots rediscover a family coat of arms that had been lost for centuries. In 1961, Roger Paccot decided to place that family heritage on the first La Colombe label. The first label therefore carried the rediscovered coat of arms alongside the domaine's new name.

Final Word

Domaine La Colombe joins Féchy family vineyards, biodynamic farming and spontaneous fermentation with a range built around Chasselas. Petit Clos is still and plot focused, Bérolon is macerated and tannic, and De Facto is ancestral sparkling wine.

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