One of the rising figures of the Savoie region, Clément Bärtschi combines passion with strong expertise. A former professional rugby player, he made a notable career change when took on the role of cellar master at Chapoutier while also creating his own estate in the heart of the Bugey, a region of singular terroirs where he has quickly established his own style and exacting approach.
Clément works meticulously on the Manicle terroir, an iconic locality defined by limestone scree terraces that lend the wines pronounced minerality and striking freshness. Having honed his skills at leading estates such as Maison M. Chapoutier and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, he started converting to organic farming in 2019, with a notable close attention paid to biodynamic practices. His approach is rooted in a deep respect for the living environment, favouring natural winemaking methods, with fermentation driven by native yeasts and sulphur additions kept to an absolute minimum.
The grape varieties he nurtures, primarily Chardonnay, Mondeuse and Altesse, express this complex terroir with authenticity and finesse. With just 2.5 hectares under vine, Bärtschi’s work highlights the richness and diversity of the Bugey’s limestone soils. His wines are renowned for their tension, elegance and ability to evolve beautifully in bottle. Through this craftsmanship and demanding approach, Clément Bärtschi has established himself as a discreet but increasingly talked-about name in natural wine from Savoie and the Bugey. Definitely well worth keeping an eye on, particularly for wine lovers with a taste for purity and precision.
Among the estate’s standout wines are Manicle, a cuvée that perfectly captures the singular character of this limestone terroir, and Les Grands Murs, a rarer yet just as remarkable expression, combining aromatic intensity with refined structure. His Mondeuse red wines impress with their finesse and character, while the Altesse whites offer delightful freshness and layered aromatics.