Wine estates Jura

The estate comprises 5.5 ha, 4 of which are planted with Chardonnay and Savagnin, including a parcel of Château-Chalon. Philippe Butin, who has run the estate since 1980, has just handed over the pruning shears to his son Kevin and Aloïs, both of whom are equally passionate about their work. The white Savagnin is matured in 228-litre barrels, and the yellow wines impress even the most demanding tasters. Over the years, the estate has also built up a fine reputation for its award-winning reds, and the transfer of ownership will certainly not change that. The 2022 vintage: top.

Concerned about the environment, Emmanuel and Nathalie have been managing the estate's 9.5 hectares of organic farming since 2018. Their demands continue during the harvest when time is no longer important, the right maturity of each parcel is expected for the picking of the grapes. The harvest is done by manual selection of the grapes where the eye has all its importance, then the vinification is subject to rigorous monitoring. The wines are made with the least possible inputs in order to preserve the raw material and the juices. There are also natural wines.

This wine cooperative is the youngest in the vineyard, with 17 winegrowers and some 40 hectares covering the Côtes du Jura, Etoile and Château-Chalon. The whites are the most important with 80% of the vineyard in chardonnay and savagnin. The annual production is around 2,200 hectoliters. The culture is more than reasoned, an orientation turned towards the bio since even the residues of treatment are recycled on the spot. Do not hesitate to discover the crémants du Jura. An approach of excellence for a land of character.

The son of winegrowers who carried their harvest from generation to generation to the local cooperative, Jean-Michel Petit became independent in 1990. For a long time in the practice of integrated pest management with manual harvesting, he has been farming organically since 2012; chemical weeding in particular has been abolished since 2004. Each hillside of the 7 hectares of the farm is managed separately in order to respect its identity. Fascinated by the work of the vine and the wine, he sometimes organises outings to discover the terroirs, the grape varieties and the winegrowers' know-how, glass in hand, with a traditional meal at the end. This year our preference was for a 100% chardonnay crémant brut. A geyser of bubbles oriented by a vigorous cord, a nose of plums "queen claude" and a suppleness in the mouth that invites to be served again for fear of forgetting it. No, it's a joke. It will delight you in any case, even when tasted alone.

Don't look for a "standard" wine from him. For Dominique Poitou, who works with all the grape varieties of the Jura, the strength of the Revermont wines is first and foremost their unique character. Settled in Saint-Lothain since 1973, he cleared a good part of his 4 ha before planting his vineyard. He is an ambassador for the Jura region and the know-how of the region's winegrowers. The philosophy of the house is to give time to time and twenty years later, these liquid nuggets have not aged a bit. You must taste their yellow wine!

For François Mossu, the love of the vine counts more than the glory. He knew how to transmit his passion to his daughter Alexandra with whom he has recently associated. They provide the best of what their vines produce. Authenticity and know-how: Mossu's straw wine, which connoisseurs call "the Pope", has been awarded many gold medals at the Concours Général de Paris, and twice the Prix d'Excellence. But the yellow wine is not in rest, its château-chalon of anthology, will delight without question the amateurs. A sure value!

Starting in 1988, Gérard Villet was already banking on organic farming. He became the first winegrower in Arbois to choose this approach, following in the footsteps of Pierre Overnoy. This relationship with the environment and the objective of quality have always animated him with accessible prices. Which is far from always being the case! The estate occupies 5.4 hectares in 7 clos: Les Bodines, Petit Genevret, Les Corvées, Les Nouvelles... The Villet's also work in a spirit of conviviality. The wines are certified by Ecocert. All the Jurassian panoply is there as well as the famous yellow wine.

Julien Mareschal has a solid background in different regions. Installed in 2003, he went organic in 2012. 5 ha planted in côte de Feule have been joined since 2017 by the slopes of Sous la roche, Caillot, Marcette and Ecrins. The vines are aged from 7 to 77 years allowing a multi-generational marriage. The Pupillanais likes to experiment, like this "Vénéon", a ploussard vinified in white. A music lover at his leisure, he also organises "Vinprovisations" evenings, a combination of music and commented tasting.

What kind of serenity is emerging in this area? The beautiful remains pose an invitation to conviviality and the large park with its centuries-old trees gives the same impression. The Big family has always made hospitality a golden rule. Nicole, John's daughter, perpetuates this quality, which is equal to that of the wines produced here. For 30 years, she has added her female score (40,000 to 50,000 passes/year) over ten hectares in the name L 'Etoile. Creuset of Jurassian white wines, with a minerality without comparison, they reveal themselves in a wide range. Of all times, the effervescents cut the lion's share, but the chardonnay, savagnum, straw wine and yellow wine are not left. And what to say about the home liqueur wine named Secret of Montbourgeau. By the way, Montbourgeau made up one of the five hamlets of the commune.

With 33 vintages of yellow wine and 31 awards, Xavier Reverchon honors the 3 generations that preceded him. His 2011 was again claveliné at the 2021 breakthrough. His 6 ha are dedicated to this exceptional product, the Savagnin. A variety that the Polinois also declines in other vintages with "Les Boutasses" or "La Réserve" for example. The soils are ploughed and the vines are free of insecticides. The unfiltered reds also have their place, including a rare red macvin since 1979. A beautiful and functional cellar that can accommodate up to 60 people.

Sumptuous vaulted and ribbed cellars will not let your visit without reaction in this splendid domain. They date from the 16th century and give a foretaste of what awaits you. Annie and Jean-Luc settled here in 1991. Today, the couple owns 11 hectares, mainly of white wines, including the most famous AOC Château-Chalon. A particularity here: the yellow wines are matured in the attic! The Mouillards favour above all varietal wines. On the red side, we really appreciated this "Cousin", a cousin of the macvin, made with fine grapes.

What an irresistible rise Patricia and Christian have made since 1976, when the Pêcheur parents farmed just 1 ha. They now produce 8 hectares of 5 Jura grape varieties. What's special here is the age of the vines, which range from 35 to 50 years. The crucial stage is obviously the harvest: first the vin de paille, for which the bunches are pampered, then the chardonnay for crémants and still wines. Then come the reds, and finally the savagnin and the Jura star, the vin jaune, including an excellent Château-Chalon.

For 10 years now, grandson Valentin has been at the helm of the Morel family domaine. 7 ha in AOC Côtes du Jura, farmed organically and biodynamically. The range includes excellent chardonnay, savagnin, pinot noir, poissard and crémants. White and red, then, but also some formidable UFOs like "L'Albinos" (a poissard vinified as a white) and "Savagnin En Bois d'Arnaux" which, conversely, is vinified as a red wine.

We enter Baud's house in an old domain dating back to the 18th century and where 8 generations have succeeded one another. Today, the young people of the 9th generation run the estate. It counts 25 hectares on 3 AOC: Côtes du Jura, Étoile and Château-Chalon. A reasoned viticulture certified Terra Vitis producing exceptional wines. And to complete their work on the land, they exploit some orchards to offer you Mirabelle plum and William's pear brandies.

With his son Joris joining him, Michel Faudot can look to the future with serenity, and continue the dynasty that began in 1879. The medals won each year in the most prestigious competitions are proof of the know-how of this lineage launched by Louis the founder. A specialist of the "melon with red tail", you will also find here a red pinot "cuvée braise d'été" elaborated without sulfite. If you can't visit the cellars, this winegrower's house also has a cellar in downtown Arbois, under the arcades.

Winegrowers for five generations, the Barbe family now farms 26 ha in the Côtes-du-Jura appellation. In addition to white wines, a red Poulsard and a Crémant, the domaine offers sparkling wines with natural aromas of strawberry, blackberry and grapefruit. Last but not least, the family's unconditional love of their region means that they also offer horseback and donkey rides through the vineyards, helicopter flights and hunting and fishing weekends. You can even reserve a large dining room that can accommodate 60 guests. A catering service is also available.

Domaine Macle is one of the pioneers of organic viticulture in the Jura. It is also a well-established estate, dating back to 1850. Laurent Macle took over the domaine in 1995 and has maintained it as one of Château-Chalon's leading addresses, earning him the nickname of "the pope of yellow wine". 4 ha of the estate's 12 hectares are planted with Savagnin grapes, and the remainder with Chardonnay in the Côtes-du-Jura PDO. Vinification takes place in ^16th-century cellars, in oak barrels of course. A very fine house.

Located at the foot of Château-Châlon, this family-run winery has it all. The welcome is always smiling, and above all, the wines are excellent! Tastings provide an introduction to the subtleties of local wines. Perfect for beginners and enthusiasts alike. You'll find bottles that offer good value for money. Note that the Robelin family also meet their customers at the Les Rousses resort market every Friday morning in July and August, and during the ski season.