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In 1939, the winegrowers of three communes(1)
gathered together to create the Fine Wines Winery of Cruet. Though
firmly rooted in tradition, they were also to turning towards
the future. Located in the heart of the dells of Savoy, the vineyards
stretch up the southern slopes of the Bauge mountain range. They
traverse the communes of Saint-Jeoire Prieuré to Fréterive,
while passing by Chignin, Francin, Montmélian, Arbin, Cruet,
Saint-Jean de la Porte and Saint-Pierre d'Albigny.
From the different grapevines, the winegrowers pick and separate
the fully ripe grapes by hand. Then, the harvest is conveyed to
the winery of Cruet's delivery area. The vinification then begins
passing strict qualitative and quantitative controls. Grown on
our soils, selected and packaged in our storehouses, our vintages
exclusively result from vineyards handled by winegrowers who are
members of our co-operative.
We combine modern wine-making techniques with traditional production
methods, so that each of our wines fully transmits its distinct
qualities, and so reflects the best of the Savoyard terroir(2).
In Cruet, we offer white wines made from the Jacquère,
Chardonnay, Altesse (Roussette from Savoy) and Roussane (Chignin
Bergeron) grape varieties(3).
These are grown in the Kimmeridgian(4)
marls whereas the varieties of excellent red wines such as Gamay,
Pinot or Mondeuse are grown in the tithonic(5)
rocky limestone soils. If the terroirs located in the communes
of Chignin and Cruet are particularly suited to the Jacquère
vine, Mondeuse grows at its best in the terroirs of Arbin and
especially those of Saint-Jean de la Porte, where it was first
grown. With a cultivated vineyard totalling 890 acres (360 hectares),
the Cruet Winery produces more than 20 % of the Savoyard wines
and controls all the steps of the winemaking process, storage,
packaging and the marketing.
 When
it was created in 1939, the Fine Wines Winery of Cruet could store
7 500 hectolitres; today the volume reaches 47 000 hectolitres.
Our winery has most up to date equipment: the pneumatic wine presses
("Busher RPX 250 and RPX 150") assure a mild and selective
pressing of the grapes; a temperature control system regulates
the temperature of the juice during the fermentation process;
new computerised delivery areas strictly control and select the
grapes; and we use new "Kieselgühr" filters with
a rotary drum. In 1998, the Fine Wine Winery of Cruet officially
began using its new "Stone" equipment for bottling,
which provides the vacuum bottling and a complete sterilisation
of the pulling and corking machine. Moreover, each station is
equipped with its own control and safety systems, which ensure
perfect packaging. A new labelling machine also has increased
labelling capabilities, now covering mass product to personalised
labelling and sealing.
Our winery is exemplary for its modern equipment, its integrated
organisation, its dynamic team and the professionalism of its
winegrowers. In 1997, the direct retail sales attracted 27.000
customers, including 5.000 foreign clients. Called "The Cathedral
of Savoyard Wine" (with a wine production of 2 620 000 litres
in 1997), the Fine Wine Winery of Cruet is the only production
unit able to provide throughout the year vintage wines, which
proudly claim their authenticity on the label with the words "
estate-bottled". As the leading Savoyard grape-growing and
wine-producing winery, we have the human and technical means to
achieve both taste and quality. Our 35-product range gives you
the opportunity to diversify wine tasting at reasonable prices.
(1) In
France, a commune is the smallest unit of local government, with
a mayor and council.
(2) Terroir is a
French word that has no direct translation in English, so it remains
in French amongst wine aficionados. Terroir is the unique combination
of natural factors (such as soil, underlying rock, climate, altitude,
etc.) that a particular vineyard site has.
(3) Following the
European concept, the wines are named after the place they come
from.
(4) Stratum formed
during the high Jurassic period.
(5) Rocks of the
Kimmeridgian era, which form the lowest cliffs, crowned by a ledge.
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