Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Monterminod Castle is a medieval building located in Saint-Alban-Leysse, in the historical region of Savoie. Perched on a hill, it overlooks the hamlet of Villaret and was visible several kilometers away, playing a key role in the local defensive system. In the event of an attack, he relayed the signals between the château of Chambéry and the valley of the Maurienne, allowing vassals to organize quickly. This visual communication network illustrates the strategic importance of Savoyard castles in the Middle Ages.

The vineyard surrounding the castle originated in the 11th century, thanks to a law promulgated by Odilon de Cluny, archbishop of Cluny Abbey. A charter signed between 1014 and 1042 by Humbert aux Blanches Mains attests to the donation of the vineyard, then named Mont Erminod, to Saint-Odilon by the knight Aymon de Pierre Forte. This winery, unchanged since the Middle Ages, bears witness to a thousand-year tradition linked to the religious and seigneurial history of the region.

From the 13th to the 15th century, the castle belonged to the Crochet family, a noble lineage related to Harvey. At that time, Princess Anne of Cyprus, Duchess of Savoie and nicknamed "the most beautiful princess in the world", introduced in Savoie the vine Highness, which she brought back from Paris. This grape variety, still cultivated today, perpetuates its heritage. Between the 15th and 20th centuries, the castle changed ownership several times, before being acquired in 1955 by Joseph Girard, a local wine trader. Since then, he has remained in the same family, preserving both his architectural and wine heritage.

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