When the glaciers withdrew from the Central Plateau, a vast band of moraine extended from Lutry to Vevey along the shores of the Léman, a scree of gravel and sand. Later trees covered the region. The word "pesses" means in the local dialect fir-trees and they can be found in the arms of the commune. Is it a correct testimony of its origin? The name 'Epesses' was for the first time mentioned in a document in 1166, but it would seem that the first inhabitants settled on these slopes in the Sixth Century already.
In 1141, Guy de Malagny of Burgundy presented to the monks of Hautcrêt as a gift the lands situated at Marsens, Montherond and further down towards Epesses and the Dézaley, with the mission to clear this vast wild, bushy land in order to plant vines there. After 20 years of hard work, the region looked already similar to what it is now.
Our forefathers helped the monks and quickly learnt how to take care of the vine and how to make wine. The dignitaries who possessed vineyards, such as the Bishop of Lausanne, the Prior of Lutry, the Abbot of Hautcrêt or of St.-Bernard, the Counts of Savoy, were all fighting over the ownership of these vineyards. They let the local people do the hard work against payment in form of quit-rent or tithe. Later they rented out certain parts for seven years and the harvest was shared between the owner and those who worked in the vineyards. They also conceded some exemptions. Then certain citizens bought some vineyards with the money they had earned, organised themselves and founded some confraternities to ensure the administration of the properties of common interest. These confraternities were the embryos of the future councils and in this way the locals started taking over their own destiny.
In 1536 the Bernese authorities imposed rules for an austere life, but also introduced the compulsory schooling, which allowed the locals to get rid off their dependence represented by their ignorance and gave them already a first taste of freedom. This new spirit developed towards the end of the occupation and expanded further when our canton became independent on the 24th of January 1798, and even more after the 14th of April 1803, when the canton of Vaud became a sovereign state within Switzerland.
In 1826 Epesses became an independent commune. In 1854 a road was constructed that connected Epesses to Riex, and in 1896 its extension up to Chexbres was completed. During that period, in 1869, the press of the cellar Dubois Fils was built. Today, Epesses has 32 presses working during the vintage period.
When visiting this area, Dubois Fils cordially invites you to ring the bells at the "Vieux Pressoir" and at the "Caveau des Vignerons" in order to taste their products, appreciate the unique taste of their wines that they cultivate and to share the friendship that is not rare to be found there.See you soon.

Profile of the vineyards of Epesses

Situation
From the shores of Lake Léman (at 380 metres) the vineyard rises up to an altitude of 600 metres and is constructed entirely in terraces. The decline of the slope achieves at times 50 % and therefore facilitates the running down of the surface waters and the drainage of the soil, however it creates at the same time a very important erosion. No mechanised means can be used in the vineyard because of the way it has been constructed.

The soil
The soil generally is composed of clay and limestone. Due to the macro porosity of the soil and the type of base-rock, the roots may at times reach down to a depth of 3 to 5 metres.

The vine
As it is very sensitive to the specificity of the soil, the Chasselas develops its typical character well on the slopes of the Lavaux. Some portions are also favourable for the Chardonnay and the Pinot Noir.

The Climate
The vineyard benefits from "three suns": the reflection from the lake, the thermic effect of the walls and the local air currents. The latter protect the harvest against the humidity in autumn in a natural way. Protected by this specific microclimate, the grapes achieve a superior maturity.

The Gathering in the Grapes
Generally they take place between end of September and end of October. Various parameters come into play, i.e. the annual climate, the factors influencing the yield, the sought-after maturity index (the relation between sugars and acids), but above all the physiological maturity that may be determined by tasting the grapes, and the maturity of the grape-stones.

History of the vineyards of Vouvry

Based on its history, Vouvry has a viticultural past that goes well back in time. It is difficult to determine when the vine was introduced on the communal territory. Nevertheless, according to some old documents, the vine was already cultivated there in the year 456 after J.C., and probably even before that date.
The vine was first cultivated on the plots particularly well exposed and where it would take a maximum of advantage of the sunshine, as is the case for most vineyards along the Léman. At Vouvry the first land clearing must have been mainly in the neighbourhood of the church; these areas are known today as "Appellation Côte" and "Sâle".
The evolution of the vine followed the one of the community. It was first cultivated at the family level, for the private consumption and as consecrated wine. It was only later, towards the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th Century, that its cultivation developed.
In 1727 the people of Vouvry were already in the wine business: their white wine was sold for 21 florins a "setier" (about 2 gallons), the red one for 13 florins. At the beginning of the 18th Century, prices varied substantially, they changed from 44 Louis a "brantée" for the white wine in 1808 to 12 Louis in 1823. Viniculture had become a no negligible branch of the local economy.
In the 19th Century, the cultivated surfaces increased considerably, the land above the village had been cleared, i.e. those known as "Outet", "Bovairons", "Amarel", "Haute-Rive", and "Vrebieux". However, it was towards the middle of the century that the viniculture had its heyday. Many winegrowers built their presses (the one of the family Dubois was erected in 1870); the local authorities planted the vine at the "Clos de Barmaz" (known as "Les Coteaux du Partage") and constructed a new access road from the Vrebieux vineyards.
The viti-vinicultural situation changed rapidly and when the authorities decided to sell, they did not find any buyers for the vineyards. So they shared them amongst those persons who had helped to plant them, on a prorated basis to the work performed.
It was only in the 20th Century that the people of Vouvry discovered they had a real passion for the wine growing. The surface of their vineyards was increased and occupies now the largest portion of the slope; a few meadows and the village that expands unrelentingly take up the balance.
On the other side, the work methods have evolved towards a semi-mechanisation. Today, Vouvry has some excellent cellars, one of which has obtained silver and gold rewards for some of its wines. One has to admit that our vine-stocks take root in a soil that has some very rare characteristics: it is made up by a rock called dolomite that is rich in lime carbonate and magnesia carbonate. They are indispensable elements for the health of the people and the vitality of their mind.

 

Profile of the vineyards of Vouvry

General
The actual surface of our vineyard is about 13 hectares. In the beginning individuals were exploiting it for their own account, cellared for their own needs and sold the balance of the harvest to the big vintners in the Valais. The viticulture in Vouvry was only part of the whole agricultural exploitation and actually occupied only the second or third position in importance. Nowadays, professional winegrowers who are serious about it and have created their own cellars cultivate part of the vineyard. The wines of Vouvry are good but are still relatively little known outside its boundaries as up to now they were mostly consumed locally.

The Vines
The red vines represent about 80 % of the vineyard and are split up in 25 % Pinot Noir and 75 % Gamay. As far as the white vines are concerned, the Riesling-Silvaner and the Chasselas make up one quarter and for the balance you find Pinot gris, Pinot blanc, Auxerrois and Chardonnay, which are all very carefully pressed and sought after by their clients. Some promising trials have been made with Charmont, Doral, Gamaret and Garanoir. All these early vines like the traditional ones are well adapted to the vineyard of Vouvry. The best parcels are cultivated in terraces and support the newer varieties.

Climate
Because of its geographical situation, the vineyard of Vouvry enjoys the climate of the Lake with intensive sunshine due to its Eastern exposure. The latter is a favourable condition for good aromas and flavours in its wines, which distinguish themselves by their balance and good keeping qualities.

The Soil
In a comfortable position at the bottom of the mountain that is mainly made up of Dolomite rock, our vineyard is characterised by a high content of active limestone of 18 to 35 % with some peaks of up to 50 % (Amarel). The gritty soil, in which the vines take root, is of clay and limestone composition. To take advantage of the latter, we choose varieties that are resistant to the limestone and that have lengthy roots.