Bugey Patchwork Chardonnay 2022 La Cuverie

La Cuverie – Bugey “Patchwork” Chardonnay 2022

A living mosaic from Bugey

Patchwork is a handcrafted Chardonnay from the alpine heart of Bugey, an expressive yet still little-known region. This wine is born from a cooperative and rural vision where land stewardship and the dignity of agricultural work come first.

Vineyard approach

The vineyards are farmed according to agroecological and permaculture principles, and are in advanced biodynamic conversion. No herbicides or tractors are used: the soil is tilled with a horse-drawn plow, and sheep roam among the vines to naturally manage grass. The vineyard is treated as a living organism, with a strong focus on biodiversity and natural rhythms.

Winemaking style

The winemaking follows a low-intervention philosophy. Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, no fining or filtration. The wine is aged for about 10 months on fine lees in a combination of used barrels and stainless steel tanks. Minimal sulfur is added, only if needed before bottling. The result is a pure and vibrant wine that honestly reflects the vintage and its terroir.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay

Tasting notes

Colour

Bright straw yellow with pale golden highlights.

Nose

Elegant and precise, with floral hints of hawthorn and chamomile, crisp white fruit like Reinette apple, lime peel, wet stone and subtle notes of hazelnut and bread crust.

Palate

Taut and saline, with lively acidity structuring the sip. The mid-palate is rounded yet vibrant, and the finish is citrusy, long and clean, with chalky and wild herb echoes. A white wine full of energy and mountain character.

Technical sheet

Name: La Cuverie – Bugey “Patchwork” Chardonnay 2022
Producer: Aurélien Beyeklian – La Cuverie
Region: Bugey, France
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Farming: Agroecological, permaculture, biodynamic conversion
Winemaking: Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts, no fining or filtration
Ageing: 10 months on lees in used barrels and stainless steel
Sulfur: Minimal addition before bottling
Alcohol: 12.5% vol
Serving temperature: 10–12°C
Pairings: Herb risotto, white fish, poached eggs, fresh cheese, wild vegetable frittata, delicate Asian cuisine

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La Cuverie – Wine, land and community in the heart of Bugey

A return to his roots

Aurélien Beyeklian is the heart and soul of La Cuverie, a human and agricultural project born from a unique life journey. After working as a radio journalist in England and in communications in Canada, his path led him around the world through humanitarian missions with the Red Cross. But as he approached 40, the call of his homeland and his passion for wine brought him back to the Revermont region.

Learning from the Bret brothers

A formative experience with the Bret brothers in Vinzelles, Burgundy, was key in shaping Aurélien’s winemaking philosophy. From them, he learned deep respect for the land, meticulous vinification, and the value of a conscious, sustainable farming approach.

The Bugey: between Jura and Savoie

La Cuverie is based in Bugey, a lesser-known but rich winegrowing area nestled between Jura and Savoie, halfway between Geneva and Lyon. The region is marked by limestone soils and a cool climate—ideal for crafting authentic mountain wines.

A social project before an agricultural one

La Cuverie is more than a winery—it’s a way of life. Wine here is not the ultimate goal, but a means to create well-being, connection, and human value. The project is founded on three principles: respect for the earth, social justice, and inclusiveness.

In the vineyards, practices are based on agroecology, permaculture, and biodynamic conversion. Mechanical tilling has been nearly eliminated: horses are used for plowing, and sheep help manage ground cover. Every decision is made with soil health and biodiversity in mind.

Solidarity, equity, and human-scale farming

La Cuverie fosters a cooperative, inclusive environment rooted in fairness and mutual aid. People and nature work together in harmony, building a model of production that values time, care, and dignity.

Living wines that speak of place

The wines of La Cuverie embody this deep ecological and human commitment. They are living wines—spontaneously fermented, unfiltered, unfined—expressing the purity of the vintage and the identity of the terroir. Every bottle is an agricultural gesture and a social statement at once.