In 2019, after gaining experience with renowned winemakers such as Château de Mérande and Dominique Belluard, Yann Pernuit decided to establish his own estate.
Starting from scratch, he drew inspiration from the names of his wife and daughters to create Les Vins de Belema. From one vine stock to the next, the estate came to life. From the very beginning, he embraced the principles he holds dear: biodynamic viticulture, a preference for natural wines, and a low-intervention approach in the winery to preserve the vines’ true origins?–?the soil.
Today, he has planted three hectares of vines, and also runs a small wine merchant business, purchasing grapes from favourite winegrowers. Yann Pernuit opted for this Ayze terroir to plant the grape varieties that have earned the village its reputation, in particular Gringet, a native of Ayze. He also cultivates Etraire de la Dui, a variety that withstands most diseases and is rare today, with the Belema winemaker being the only one to cultivate it in Haute-Savoie department. Barely 10 hectares of it are planted in the Isère department. Yann Pernuit’s estate is a true reflection of his personal philosophy, offering wines that are in perfect harmony with nature’s gifts.

The Altesse grape variety, which originated in Cyprus and was brought over by the Dukes of Savoie, flourishes in the vineyards of South-East France, such as Isère and Savoie. This variety is also thought to be closely related to the Hungarian Furmint variety, renowned for being served at the Emperor’s table. This is how this wine, reserved for royalty, came to be named Altesse (French for Highness). Well aware of environmental issues and convinced of the benefits of sustainable viticulture for the soil and the wine, the estate applies gentle, precise methods. In the winery, the grapes are vinified following traditional methods with little intervention.
The yellow colour reveals a bouquet of citrus fruit, apricot and floral aromas, with hints of fresh cream. The supple, elegant palate offers subtle hints of smoke, combined with a fine minerality, leading to a fresh, minty finish.