Founded in 2009 in the captivating Trièves region, Domaine des Hautes Glaces is the world’s first organic farm distillery. It produces a local whisky that celebrates the essence of the region’s grains. Its rich aroma is a testament to the skill and expertise that goes into making it.
The idea of a local whisky, deeply connected to its land, is now a reality. Located 900 metres up on the highest grain-growing plain in Europe, Domaine des Hautes Glaces brings a new meaning to the word ‘spirit’ – one that lifts the soul. It captures the essence of its land, crafted with passion in copper stills.
I’m looking for a flavour that dazzles the taste buds and truly reflects this exceptional terroir.
Organic farm & distillery
Frédéric Revol, the founder of Domaine des Hautes Glaces, combines his skills as an agricultural engineer with his passion for life to create this unique organic farm-distillery, offering a fresh take on whisky-making.
“I’m looking for a flavour that dazzles the taste buds and truly reflects this exceptional terroir,” he says.
Unlike the whisky industry, which often feels disconnected from the land, Domaine des Hautes Glaces aims to capture the strong identity of the Trièves – its rugged landscapes, rich history and enduring spirit.
Eleven people work at Domaine des Hautes Glaces, processing barley and rye, alongside a small group of dedicated farmers, including Frédéric Revol himself.
The Graines des Cimes association provides the distillery with organic grains from about fifty local plots. They support organic, small-scale, independent farming that values diversity over monoculture, where everyone “plays a part in creating an ecosystem focused on quality and respect for nature.”
Aged in oak barrels
The Domaine des Hautes Glaces occupies a large building from the early 17th century, built shortly after the Edict of Nantes. A country lane leads to a modern-looking courtyard, where history and the present come together, just like the water flowing from the central fountain. The cellar on the right is open to the public for distillery tours (by appointment) and private tastings.
‘It’s a very long-term project, requiring the right tools to ensure the proper ageing of its spirits,’ says Frédéric Revol.
The farm is constantly evolving. It doesn’t simply rely on the same recipes but actively seeks to diversify its harvests and expertise, comparing vintages, each carefully labelled. The brand has created an experimental collection dedicated to the agronomic research conducted over the past fifteen years. Named Epistémé (Greek for ‘knowledge through action’), this collection showcases limited editions that have been carefully developed and codified. Changing with the seasons, these complex aromas reflect the vitality of Domaine des Hautes Glaces. Its Indigène 100% single malt whisky blends around a hundred distillates, capturing the aromatic essence of the distillery.
And as for the malted rye eau-de-vie, Vulson, this is crafted from a variety native to the mountains, the ‘carouasse’. At the Domaine, specific production techniques have been developed to highlight the unique, rustic character of this rye.
All these spirits are distilled over a wood fire, with its heat being recycled, like water, for other uses. The eaux-de-vie are aged in 100% French oak barrels, some of which have been with the Domaine since the beginning, while others are new. A few casks come from producers of cognac, armagnac and calvados, as well as from winemakers in the Rhône Valley. Reflecting the Domaine’s pioneering spirit, the bottles are made of transition glass with corks crafted from cork and draff (the residue from the estate’s malted cereals). At the bottom of the bottles, the Obiou mountain range – the limestone ridge between the Vercors and Écrins mountains – appears embossed in 3D, symbolising the spirits’ connection to this majestic landscape.
Discover one of the world’s top ecotourism destinations: the Trièves.
Dominated by the impressive Mont Aiguille, the region is a beautiful mix of peaks and lakes, starting with the stunning Monteynard lake. It’s the ideal place for a refreshing getaway with family, friends or a partner.
Activities? There’s something for everyone. Whether you’re exploring on foot or by mountain bike, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the charm of this unique region.
Domaine des Hautes Glaces produces 15,000 bottles a year. In France, its spirits can be found in independent wine merchants and certain delicatessens. The world of mixology, which celebrates the art of cocktails, is beginning to recognise its exceptional aromatic qualities.
Domaine des Hautes Glaces has recently expanded into the UK and Switzerland. With its recently expanded distillery, the brand is now looking to share its creations with Japan, Germany and Italy. How do you promote the Trièves, an exceptional terroir, across borders with an organic whisky that’s just as unique? It’s an ambitious goal, full of bold flavours, and it’s well on the way to being achieved.
Ici le respect de la nature et du vivant s’impose comme une évidence.
Découvrez les produits locaux issus des terres accueillantes et fertiles du Trièves.
