The Hautecour estate has been owned by women since 1649. Over time, the vines were passed down to their children Louise, Julie-Pauline, Adèle, Blanche, Ernestine, Théodora… Following the precedent set by her forebears, the current estate owner Coraline de Wurstemberger manages the estate now known as Les Dames de Hautecour. She greets guests and visitors with simplicity, hospitality and humour. Her daughter Camille also lives on the estate.
Winemaker Quentin and oenologist Claude make a strong team responsible for the work of the estate, putting their talents to work on a daily basis to produce delicate wines.
Coraline is a founding member of the association "Les Artisanes de la Vigne et du Vin" and the women winemakers fair "DiVINes !".
Théodora de Salis was the grand dame of Hautecour. Known as Dora, she acquired the estate’s residence, a former communal bakery. She passed her love of the vines on to her granddaughter Coraline, to whom she represents a constant source of inspiration.
VINES AT THE HEART OF THE VILLAGE
The estate’s three hectares lie at the heart of the village of Mont-sur-Rolle, on a La Côte hillside between Geneva and Lausanne. Each plot of vines is devoted to a specific form of production so as to take full advantage of the characteristics of the clay-limestone soils and southern exposure, facing towards Lake Geneva.
La Cocogne, a steeply sloping plot with an ideal orientation, is devoted to growing Chasselas.
La Favaz, to the right of the church, is given over to Pinot Noir and small-scale production: Pinot Gris, Chasselas Violet and Gamaret.
Le Clos, adjoining the residence and its fruit trees, is reserved for Pinot Noir.
The vines are grown on a permanent cordon. Seeking quality and respect for nature, the estate is run using integrated production with controlled yields. The grapes are harvested by hand.
DECLARED CHOICES
Coraline de Wurstemberger firmly prioritises tradition, both in the winery and at the vines. Chasselas wines are matured in the family’s large oak casks where they undergo alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. Oenologist Claude’s winemaking activities take place in the winery, located in the neighbouring village.
The estate’s bottle, known as the ‘vaudoise antique’, was selected for its elegance and density. Corks are still used to stop the bottles. The labels are inspired by those used at Hautecour a century ago.
