FOCUS ON ... Domaine Felys

Between heritage and innovation, a passion for wine reinvents itself

For three generations, the Domaine Félys family has embodied the Provencal winegrowing tradition, cultivating the vines with passion and dedication. But it's with a resolutely modern vision that the new generation has decided to build on this history. Between technical innovation and respect for the family roots, Domaine Félys offers a unique approach to viticulture, where each wine tells a story, that of a reinvented return to the roots.

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Family tradition at the heart of Félys

Domaine Félys is above all a family story. Since the 1950s, the vineyards of the Ventoux have been carefully tended by passionate winegrowers. With the sound of tractors and the clatter of pruning shears, an ancestral know-how is passed down from father to son. Each generation has contributed to shaping this land, cultivating the grapes and giving care and attention to each vine. But until recently, this family, although deeply rooted in viticulture, had never made its own wine. ‘That means we've always been co-operators,’ says François Reynaud with emotion. However, at a time of great change, the Félys heirs have managed to strike a delicate balance between honouring this heritage and embarking on a new path.

The call of the land and the choice of wine

Everything changed after the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a rethink. After working for a long time in a cooperative winery as Community Manager, François Reynaud decided to go back to basics, reconnect with the land and finally make his own wine. ‘What's the point of working all year round without tasting the fruit of his labour?’ he explains, determined to take up the reins of his heritage with a fresh approach.

Technical innovation with the ‘boisboite

If there's one thing that symbolises innovation at Domaine Félys, it's the ‘boisboite’. This former refrigerated container, transformed into a micro-cellar, embodies the boldness and creativity of the new generation. Insulated, modular and equipped to regulate temperature and humidity, this unusual little cellar allows micro-vintages to be made with complete control. A minimalist but effective technical approach that paves the way for more ambitious future projects.

The maritime container, diverted from its primary function, is here reinvented as a space dedicated to the production of wine. This daring metamorphosis required in-depth consideration of conservation, humidity management, temperature control and interior design.
It took daring, perseverance and belief in the vision of a cellar in which each wine storehouse is imbued with the spirit of innovation that inspired its design. Arsilac is delighted to discover that the 4 x 9.5 HL 304 stainless steel tanks with floating tops are part of this winemaking project.

Towards a sustainable future

Domaine Félys is only at the beginning of its new adventure. As the micro-cellar becomes a space for experimentation, the dream of a sustainable, made-to-measure winery is already on the horizon. With noble materials, greater respect for the environment, and a desire to produce authentic wines, Félys is preparing for a new stage, one where tradition and innovation become one.

Stainless steel is renowned for its durability, resistance to corrosion and ability to maintain optimum hygiene - three essential factors in the production of quality wines. By opting for 9 hectolitre tanks, Felys is demonstrating its commitment to precision and volume control, a choice that is particularly well-suited to small-scale production, typical of top-of-the-range, artisanal wines.

Arsilac would like to thank Domaine Felys for their confidence in the acquisition of new stainless steel vats for their very first vinification in the ‘boisboite’! A partner of choice for blending and vinifying the finest vintages to come.

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Determination, here, is the ferment that has allowed this idea to germinate and bear fruit. It's the culmination of a vision driven by passion and perseverance. It's proof that, with determination, it's possible to transform a simple container into a magical place. At Domaine Félys, every bottle is a tribute to the land, to family and to innovation. It's a place where past and future intertwine, where the love of wine is cultivated with care and boldness. Savour not only the fruit of passionate labour, but also a story of returning to our roots, reinvented for generations to come.