Definition: Dôle d'Epesses

A historical dôle. Dôle, a 100% Valais red wine? The Provins cooperative (Valais) believed so in 1957 when it appealed to the Federal Court. The verdict: the only owner in Lavaux who had been calling his red wine "Dôle d'Epesses" since 1880 retained his rights. This is why the Blondel-Duboux family, winegrowers in Cully since 1453, bottles this red blend, two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Gamay-Gamaret-Garanoir, all vinified together, under an illuminated label.

This wine has been awarded the Terravin label. This historical link in no way detracts from the merits of this well-made red wine, created by Jean-Luc Blondel, third winner of the Coupe Chasselas, with his Villette Champ Noé 2002. Until now, 90% of the estate's 7 hectares were planted with Chasselas, making "Dôle d'Epesses" its only red wine. Around the 1880s, the family named their red wine Dôle d'Epesses. "Today, remaining faithful to our brand and enjoying seniority rights, we market the only Dôle in the canton of Vaud," says the producer at Domaine Blondel in Cully/Lavaux (Switzerland). See his website at: