The history of Dolin: a real-life novel…
From Joseph Chavasse to the Sevez family, via the famous Marie Dolin, discover the figures who have shaped the history of our distillery, and the many challenges they had to overcome to bring you these famous Chambéry drinks today.
Joseph Chavasse had been a distiller and liqueur maker in Les Échelles, Savoie, since 1815. Curious by nature, he travelled extensively, and the opening of a new stagecoach route connecting Chambéry and Turin via Les Échelles sparked his inspiration. Influenced by the vermouths of Turin, he created his own recipe: "Vermouth de Chambéry".
Marie, Joseph’s daughter, married Louis-Ferdinand Dolin, a native of Chambéry. The distillery then took the name “Dolin.” At the same time, the company’s reputation continued to grow, reaching as far as Paris, where people appreciated vermouth as a “stimulating beverage.” Marie went on to create the first fruit syrups.
Following her husband's death, Marie Dolin took over the business. Under her leadership, Dolin Vermouth was exhibited at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in the United States, where it was awarded a bronze medal.
Vermouth is everywhere in France—the king of aperitifs. New drinks are beginning to appear on menus, notably the “Chambéry-fraise,” a blend of vermouth and local strawberries. Marie-Rosalie, Marie Dolin’s daughter, bottles this blend according to a specific recipe, giving rise to the Chambéryzette.
Following the deaths of Marie and later her daughter, who had succeeded her, the company was deeply affected by the First World War. Charles and Joseph Sevez, grocers in Chambéry and friends of the family, took over the distillery and ushered in a new era of growth.
Having joined Dolin at the age of 20, Bernard Sevez succeeded his father, Pierre, as Managing Director. He led the company for the next 32 years.
The distillery acquired Bonal Gentiane-Quina, the iconic aperitif created by former Carthusian monk Hippolyte Bonal.
Jean-Luc Scapolan succeeded his brother-in-law, Bernard Sevez. He successfully revived the company's export business, restoring an international presence that had once contributed to the renown of Vermouth de Chambéry.
Pierre-Olivier Rousseaux, Bernard Sevez's son-in-law, became Managing Director and continued the company's development, building on the momentum of the previous decade.
Maison Dolin celebrates its bicentenary. The production facility is modernized, while Dolin remains a family-owned company, still managed by the Sevez family.
200 Years of Passion
From the romantic mountain spirits of the 19th century to today, Maison Dolin has come a long way. We have continually refined, nurtured, and evolved the expertise of our pioneering founders—just as a fine liqueur matures over time. More than ever, we are committed to honoring this heritage by taking the greatest care at every stage of crafting our products.
A Family-Owned Business
since 1821
Traditional
Craftsmanship
Local
Products
EPV Label: “Enterprise
for Living Heritage”
