All of our managers and wine staff travel at least once a year to a wine-growing region somewhere throughout the world. Traveling is one of the many aspects of Joe Canal’s that sets us apart from other wine shops. We know that by meeting the winemakers, walking the vineyards and tasting new wine from the barrel, we can see first-hand the passion that goes into each bottle. We can then convey this commitment to quality to our customers. Rather than having you just looking at a label and a score, we believe it is our responsibility to bring you closer to how the wine was made and the people who made it. We'll be sharing their trip reports with you here on the BottleBlog.
In June 2011, Debbie Miller Nelson, Wine Manager of the Iselin store had the privilege of traveling to France and immersing herself in French food, culture, and most importantly, wine! Here is the 12th installment of Debbie’s trip.
Domaine Faiveley is a huge operation that started in 1825. This was the only place we visited that had a modern office not run by family and not connected to a home.
We were met by Vincent Avenel, the Export Director. He gave us the cellar tour and operations tour.
Along the way, I even saw a wrapped pallet of wine that was heading to northern NJ!
Domaine Failveley is one of the largest land owners in Burgundy and one of the biggest companies. During the tour, we saw a state of the art grape crushing machine. When we asked Vincent why they had that, he said, “because we can.” That’s money talking!
We are led to a modern tasting room, not in a cellar, not cold and damp and we even get to sit down. They even provided us a tasting sheet! What luxury!
Here we meet the youngest CEO in Burgundy, Erwan Faiveley.
Erwanis a Columbia MBA business graduate, has GQ good looks and is one of the largest land owners in all of Burgundy (120 hectares across 100 different appellations). Quite the good catch! He should probably be in Wine Spectator’s next issue of Burgundy’s most available bachelors if that issue is ever made! Erwan has started what they call the next generation of wines – a new approach starting with 2007 to make their wines softer and more approachable.
The men in my group were amused that every office workedrwas female, about a dozen in all and they even have a female oenologist. Gotta love the French men! They have 50 employees in all and 8 monoples (vineyards in areas that no one else owns).
After the tasting, we walk through a maze of cellars where the back vintages are.
There is a reason why both Vincent and Erwan escort us – one up front and one in the back. Did I mention I have my back pack and those wines would fit nicely in them? We walk for what seems like 30 minutes through endless hallways and underground cellars until we finally enter into a beautiful, cellar room for lunch where Erwan regales us about stories of his family and of course, NYC comes up as Erwan has lived there during college.
We say goodbye to Erwan and Burgundy, pile into the van and head to Chablis.
Deb’s Spotlight
Domaine Faiveley Mercurey 2007
A perfumed nose of raisin, stewed fruit, cherry and strawberry. The 2007 vintage marks the current owner, Erwan Faiveley's first vintage as CEO and a move to make the wines softer. He has succeeded. The wine is elegant with cola flavors and a much softer vintage. Enjoy with a roast pork with green beans.
Also Available:
Domaine Faiveley Pinot Noir 2007 BC $14.99
Domaine Faiveley Chardonnay 2008 BC $14.99
Domaine Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin 2009 $53.99
Domaine Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin 2005 BC $49.99
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