Who makes it
La Maison Carrée works with the classic grapes of Neuchâtel, led by Pinot Noir and Chasselas, with Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Savagnin Blanc completing the range. The estate intervenes as little as possible while maintaining living soils and managing the sun exposure of vines and grapes.
All the vineyards have been farmed biodynamically since 2012. The program uses compost made on the estate, herb infused preparations and homeopathic treatments for soil and vines. Chemical herbicides and pesticides are excluded, and the estate links that change with renewed botanical diversity among the vines.
Where it grows
Auvernier names the vineyards west of Neuchâtel, while Hauterive names those east of the city. The holdings are 10 kilometres apart, with Auvernier west of Neuchâtel and Hauterive east of the city.
The eastern vineyards give Pinot Noir a distinct place in the range through the Hauterive appellation. Auvernier contains the larger group of parcels, including La Brena, Les Abesses and La Grand’Vigne.
How it is made
The cellar
All whites receive a short period of skin contact in concrete before pressing in a large wooden vertical press. The clear juice then moves directly into oak. Native yeasts carry out the fermentation, while sulfites are added only after malolactic fermentation or before bottling, never above 45 ppm.
Pinot Noir receives two to three weeks of cuvaison, followed by pressing and maturation in barriques and oak foudres. The cellar combines traditional vessels with a low intervention approach that keeps the production choices visible in the finished wines.
What they make
The white range covers Chasselas, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Savagnin Blanc. Savagnin Blanc is a single variety wine with foudre vinification and ageing. The reds are exclusively Pinot Noir, with Hauterive as a site specific wine from sandy clay over yellow, friable limestone.
Auvernier Pinot Noir develops more slowly, while Hauterive Pinot Noir gives the range a finer, more Burgundian styled expression from sandy and calcareous soils. The bottles therefore divide by grape, appellation and the character of their vineyard ground.
Wines to try
First bottle
Choose Maison Carrée Chardonnay. Its route through the cellar is short maceration, vertical pressing and one year in 228 litre oak barrels, with regular barrel replacement keeping the wood discreet and the varietal fruit clear. The wine can be approached young, while its ageing potential should not be overlooked.