Producer Domaine H Sukhwan-Ha

FRANCE, SAVOY

Perched on the steep east-facing slopes of Chignin, in the heart of France's Savoie region, Domaine H is one of the most exciting new names to emerge from the contemporary Alpine wine scene. Founded by Korean-born sommelier-turned-winemaker Sukhwan Ha, the estate was established in 2023 with a clear ambition: to express the unique character of Chignin's mountain terroirs through sustainable viticulture and precise, low-intervention winemaking. Before becoming a vigneron, Sukhwan Ha built an impressive career in the world of fine dining and wine. Based in Lyon, he was the chef sommelier and owner of Le Passe-Temps, one of the first restaurants in the city to earn a Michelin star. There, he developed a reputation for championing terroir-focused, low-intervention wines and introducing diners to some of France's most distinctive producers. His passion for artisan wine later led him to establish a wine import business in South Korea, where he introduced leading producers such as Pierre Overnoy, Octavin, Pascal Côtat, Thierry Allemand, and Ardoisières to Korean sommeliers, collectors, and wine enthusiasts. This deep immersion in the world of terroir-driven wine would ultimately shape his own vision as a winemaker. The closure of his restaurant during the COVID-19 pandemic became a turning point. Sukhwan began an extensive search for organically farmed vineyards while simultaneously pursuing formal winemaking studies in Beaune. In the years that followed, he gained invaluable hands-on experience in the Jura, working alongside Pierre Overnoy and Emmanuel Houillon. Their influence helped define an approach centered on vineyard expression, precision, and authenticity. Today, Domaine H farms old vines planted on the dramatic limestone terraces of Chignin at elevations ranging from approximately 400 to 500 meters above sea level. From the outset, the estate has embraced a parcel-by-parcel philosophy, allowing each vineyard site to be vinified separately and expressed according to its individual characteristics. The focus remains firmly on grape varieties that thrive on Savoie's steep Alpine slopes. Roussanne, in particular, reveals remarkable mineral precision and aromatic complexity in Sukhwan's hands, while Jacquère and Mondeuse showcase vibrant acidity, freshness, and moderate alcohol levels that reflect both altitude and climate. The vineyards had already been cultivated without herbicides for many years before Sukhwan's arrival. In 2023, he initiated the transition to certified organic farming while also experimenting with biodynamic treatments on selected parcels. The goal is to strengthen soil vitality and further enhance the connection between vineyard and wine. Domaine H's inaugural vintage was 2023. The wines from 2024 were bottled without added sulphur, while several white wines were aged in used barrels and demi-muids sourced from the renowned cellar of Pascal Côtat in Sancerre. These choices reflect a thoughtful and measured approach to élevage, aimed at preserving purity and terroir expression rather than emphasizing oak influence. Tastings of the bottled 2023 and 2024 vintages, together with the 2025 wines still completing fermentation, reveal a remarkably coherent stylistic evolution. The wines display the sensibility of an experienced sommelier applied to an exceptional mountain terroir. The whites are bright, saline, and energetic, marked by precision and mineral tension, while the reds are delicate yet expressive, combining elegance, freshness, and transparency. Despite having only three vintages behind him, Sukhwan Ha has already demonstrated both a clear vision and the technical ability required to bring that vision to life. Domaine H stands among the most compelling projects of the new wave of Alpine winegrowers that has emerged across France's mountain regions in recent years. For wine lovers seeking authentic expressions of terroir, low-intervention winemaking, and the future of Savoie wine, Domaine H is undoubtedly a producer worth following closely. Its early releases suggest not only enormous potential, but also the emergence of a distinctive voice within one of France's most dynamic and exciting wine regions.