The manufacturing steps of our spirits

We manage the entire production process, from gathering to bottling. Mountain flowers and plants such as the elderflower and black genepi are hand-picked by us in the Valmorel valleys of Savoie. Discover our traditional know-how, which is part of our approach to preserving our ecosystem.

illustration d'une main tenant une feuille sur un fond gris/vert clair.

Step 1: The gathering of mountain flowers and plants

Throughout the year, we gather the wild flowers and mountain plants we need for our production. All our natural ingredients (plants, flowers) and gathering methods are certified organic. We’re one of the few distilleries to gather in the wild and to be virtually self-sufficient. In order not to plunder resources and to preserve our ecosystem, we do our best to never gather in the same place.

barre noire
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The convivial moments of gathering in the wild embody the passion we have for our local environment.

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There’s nothing like the family hay barn as a natural dryer.

Roxane et Julia en train de cueillir du cerfeuil musqué pour la distillerie Maison M
photo des fruits récoltés à Valmorel
Philippe Bodon assis dans l'herbe pendant la cueillette Maison M

"The natural resources of our valleys are the pillars of our mountain distillery."

“The natural resources of our valleys are the pillars of our mountain distillery.  “

photo d'une des montagnes de Valmorel

Some of these wild gatherings take place at very high altitude, between 2,800 and 3,600m, such as for black genepi.

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Our orchards and altitude gardens are cultivated naturally. The vagaries of nature produce different harvests every year. This is why each vintage is unique.

Some of these wild gatherings take place at very high altitude, between 2,800 and 3,600m, such as for black genepi.

 

illustration d'une fleur noire sur un fond gris/vert clair.

Step 2: The conservation

Immediately after gathering, these mountain plants are carefully conditioned in order to preserve all their aromatic qualities. Depending on their properties, they are used either dried, fresh or even frozen in our Valmorel factory.

Photo de la voiture Maison M dans la montagne à Valmorel.
Photo de la cueillette de myrtille.
Photo d'un couché de soleil sur la vallée de Valmorel en Savoie.
illustration noire de la plante thym serpolet
illustration en noir de la plante génépi jaune
illustration noire de la merise
illustration noire de la reine des prés
illustration noire de la gentiane
illustration noire de la fleur de sureau
illustration d'une fleur noire sur un fond gris/vert clair.

Step 3: The manufacturing of our spirits

This step respects traditional craftsmanship. Depending on our recipes, we combine several techniques to make our spirits.

Our aim? To create a unique identity for each one.

illustration du processus de distillation

Fermentation is the first step for the transformation of sugars into alcohol.

illustration d'une feuille noire sur un fond gris/vert clair.

Suspension, in which the plant is hung above the base spirit to impart its aromas.

illustration d'un pot

Maceration, alone or in addition, both before and after distillation.

illustration d'une fleur

Steam distillation in our traditional copper stills for certain aromatic extractions.

alambic en illustration

Double distillation in our traditional copper stills for the eaux de vie.

barile illustré

More or less prolonged ageing in our cellars.

Fermentation is the first step for the transformation of sugars into alcohol.

Suspension, in which the plant is hung above the base spirit to impart its aromas.

Maceration, alone or in addition, both before and after distillation.

Steam distillation in our traditional copper stills for certain aromatic extractions.

Double distillation in our traditional copper stills for the eaux de vie.

More or less prolonged ageing in our cellars.

All our waste is composted to produce natural fertilizer.

photo d'une femme en train de découper des fruits.
Photo d’un homme dans une distillerie en train de tenir un alambic
Photo de Roxane Mengoli en train de sentir l'alcool dans un verre
alambic en illustration

What does a still look like?

For a more sustainable approach, our stills are cooled using local spring water rather than using the mains water supply.

1-condensateur, 2- panier aromatique, 3-colonne de rectification
illustration d'une bouteille d'alcool

STEP 4: The bottling

To bring out the best in our spirits, Roxane has conceived bottles with an elegant, and modern design. We do the bottling and labelling by hand, making each flask unique.

Photo de distillation de génépi sortant de l'alambic en cuivre dans la distillerie Maison M.
Photo d’un homme dans une distillerie en train d'étiqueter des flacons de spiritueux.
Photo d’un homme dans une distillerie en train de tenir des flacons de spiritueux.

The bottling

Flacon de digestif de montagne au Génépi de la distillerie Maison M.
Flacon de digestif de montagne au Génépi de la distillerie Maison M.
Flacon de digestif de montagne au Génépi de la distillerie Maison M.

HIGH-MOUNTAIN FRENCH PRODUCERS

Photo d'une main avec beaucoup de myrtilles résultant de la cueillette.

#blueberries

“The convivial moments of gathering in the wild embody the passion we have for our local environment.”

Photo de la cueillette de prunes

#plums

“We gather in the wild most of the fruit and plants necessary for our production.”

Philippe Bodon en train de cueillir des poires.

#pears

“Our orchards and altitude gardens are cultivated naturally.”