Wines and spirits Franche-Comté

You cannot schedule a getaway in Pontarlier without stopping at Rue des Lavaux. It is there that the last renowned communal distillery with its stills and centenary tuns - probably the most prestigious heritage of the country of Absinthe - are found. Founded in 1890 by Armand Guy, it produces top quality items and offers an instructive visit inside. The secrets of manufacturing are preserved for an exact match with the flavours of the past. Whether you are alone or accompanied, give in to the anise vapours of the "Pont" of spirits made from Gentian and other spirits with fir buds! You will learn a lot about absinthe, the manufacturing of the Pont and, above all, you can taste everything in order to visit the whole region in a pleasant way. Note that if you have trouble finding the Pont or absinthe once at home, you can order some by contacting the distillery!

This relatively young cooperative, created in 1957, today brings together 55 winegrowers attached to the Jura terroir. Their vines are partly located in the Château-Chalon area... Their yellow wines, including this one, are a credit to this very well-received winery. But all the grape varieties and all the wines of the Jura are represented. We welcome you in new premises and we know how to advise you with talent. The philosophy of the site: "Great wines do not necessarily require complicated dishes". To be meditated on! Numerous awards in competitions.

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.

Emmanuel and Nathalie Grand manage their 9.5 ha organic estate. Their exacting standards continue during the harvest, when each parcel of vines is picked at just the right ripeness, and then selected by hand, when eye contact is of the utmost importance. Vinification is then rigorously monitored to ensure exceptional results. In fact, many awards have crowned their production. Like the gold medal for Côte du Jura 2020 and silver for Château-Chalon 2014 at the Millésime 2022 competition.

The Lombard Bar nestles in the vaulted cellar of the former Lombard cheese dairy. Here, or on the terrace, you can sample one of the hundred or so local beers available on the shelves. Aperitif boards are also available, as is a "resto'casionnel" serving meals (by reservation only). And Le Lombard Bar is also a boutique where you can buy a wide range of regional products. In short, we love this warm and friendly place, which brings the village and surrounding area to life from the very first fine days of the year.

The domain is a charming address for its welcome and its simplicity. Cécile and her son work together on 21 hectares of land, respecting the environment - certified in organic farming - in order to further improve the quality of the grapes and the wines. The diversity of the terroirs is reflected in the wide range of their wines, which are quite exceptional. Wines from Vendanges Tardives and Sélections de Grains Nobles are also offered for tasting. A domain and a philosophy to discover.

Clément Goubard's Nocturne is intriguing in more ways than one. The brewer makes his beverages at night, according to the lunar cycles (and the advice of his grandfather, who always drank this way). Clément had intended to make wine, but - faced with the vagaries of the weather - preferred the relative security of a brewery. The organic orientation was obvious (returnable glass, green electricity, water management...). 5 references, including a "Stout de garde" with highly roasted barley, and a surprising "Efi" which benefits from a maceration of lemony plants.

Situated on the heights of Mount Roland in Düsseldorf, this brewery claims to be the "heir" of Walter Gysin who registered the brand in 1900. Maria and Fabrice Pannaux prepare excellent beverages from their experiences in Belgium, the Czech Republic and Germany. Their beers are made according to the "German laws of purity" (water, malt, hops, yeast). 8 variants: blonde, white, amber and red, brown, india pale ale with funny names. A terrace with a small restaurant will allow you to have a pleasant break.

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.

Yassine Amrouni created his micro-enterprise in 2014 to achieve his dream: to produce distinctive, naturally sparkling and balanced beers. An advocate of organic, his beverages are unfiltered, unpasteurized and all made from rigorously chosen ingredients. In his South Jura region, his production has successfully intensified. His recipes are made according to his favourite recipes. 4 variants are available (blonde, amber, white and brown), all certified AB by Ecocert. Finish your tasting with a panel of the most unexpected infusions.

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!

This cooperative was founded in 1906 and was one of the first in France. It has 130 winegrowers, 2 cellars in Arbois and 3 others in the region: Arc-et-Senans, Saint-Laurent-en-Grandvaux and Poligny (Caveau des Jacobins). Cellar visits with tastings take place in the summer. In addition, there are summer Thursdays (visits, food and wine pairing evenings), tailor-made workshops (tasting of Savagnin and vertical yellow wine) and, to conclude, the discovery of the vineyards by bicycle.

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!

François-Xavier Vitrac oversees this Haut-Doubs institution. 4 generations of know-how have created famous beverages such as the fir bud liqueur or the famous Pontarlier-Anis with green anise. Here again, absinthe is now also available as a liqueur. New products include Sapont, a Pontarlier with fir buds, and a book. And the taster's panoply of eaux-de-vie, cocktails and semi-confit fruits. The Distillerie has been awarded the "Entreprise du patrimoine vivant" (Living Heritage Company) distinction.

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.

In the center of Poligny, a very contemporary shop does not only sell cheeses. If the store's decay and sign changed, its original vocation remained the same: wine and cheese. There are 90% of biologic and natural wines, including the best of the Jura (yellow wine, macwine, savagnum savagnum…). Other regional nectars (sauces, monbazillac, champagnes, Burgundy wines, whiskies and rheus of the world, absinthes…) are presented by a passionate wine cellar. Very elegant packages are for all budgets. On the cheese factory side, six county affinations are honored (from 6 to 24 months). The sheep and many other local cheeses are declared in quality. The sausage of Morteau and the Upper Doubs sausage are the most popular. These treasures of the soil taste on the plates at the same time as the wine tasting at the counter. A favorite place for gastronomers looking for safe values and wise advice about Jura or other products! The best way to make the right choices.

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.