Château de Fleys is located in a small village just east of Chablis. Part of a historic wine-producing region, the family-owned winery dates back multiple generations. Today, Olivier Phillipon, winemaker and co-manager, runs the estate with his siblings, Beatrice and Benoit.
“We respect and draw on our family’s traditions, while embracing new technologies to improve quality,” explains Olivier. “For example, we choose to vinify each tank separately to best express the typicity of our different terroirs.”
Château de Fleys produces white wines that are typical of the region: elegant and mineral-rich with light fruity and floral notes. Producing award-winning wines, of course, does not come without its challenges. From unpredictable weather to labor shortages, saving time and resources, especially during harvest, is always top of mind.
Château de Fleys vineyards in Chablis, France
Overcoming challenges
The environment has always presented challenges for winemakers. In Chablis, the last couple of years have been particularly tough. “We’re now up against shifting harvests and increasingly unpredictable weather,” says Olivier. “Another challenge is finding enough workers, especially during the harvest season.”
With so much to do, saving time where possible is crucial. “We work hard,” says Olivier, “and there are often more important things to do than wait for yeast to rehydrate, for example.”
Cecile Bergia, Fermentis Regional Sales Manager Wine for France & Switzerland, and Olivier Phillipon, winemaker and co-manager at Château de Fleys
The benefits of E2U™ yeasts
Mélanie Burliga, Consulting Œnologist Moreau Œnologie, advocates for the advantages of Fermentis’s E2U™ solutions for winemakers. “The ease of application without the need for prior rehydration saves a considerable amount of time,” says Mélanie. “It also facilitates better organization. Winemakers can delegate tasks, use less equipment, and use less water.”
“For us, the advantages really lie in the ease of application,” says Olivier. “The straightforward inoculation process allows us to delegate tasks more easily when we’re working with new staff. And, of course, without the need for prior hydration, we can move more quickly. Rather than stopping to rehydrate the yeast, we’re able to move from one tank to the next. Essentially, we’re able to work twice as fast.”
SafŒno™ EF-85
When it comes to white wines with fresh, fruity notes, SafŒno™ EF-85 is the ideal choice.
Designed for elegant white wines, SafOeno™ EF 85 brings complex, balanced fruity notes to the wine while respecting the grape variety. It performs well on many different white cultivars, from neutral varieties (such as Chardonnay or Grenache blanc) to aromatic varieties (such as Muscat).
Get in touch!
For more information about SafŒno™ EF-85 and other E2U™ certified products for winemakers, visit fermentis.com or contact us directly.
For purchasing our solutions, contact your local distributor. You can find our partners and distributors here.