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.

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.

From Fougerolles, take Route Nationale 57 towards Remiremont and Nancy. Kirsch et Terroir is a group of local producers founded in 1970. It's a traditional distillery offering kirsch and a cherry aperitif, "Lo cul dra haut®", as well as an old reserve and eight other eaux-de-vie, liqueurs and honey (all flowers, acacia, mountain), farmhouse munster, jams, cherry syrup, chocolates with Fougerolles AOC kirsch, munster cream, Val d'Ajol andouilles and Luxeuil ham... A true paradise for lovers of Franc-Comtois products!

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.

This estate, created in 1942, was the precursor of whites with character and single-varietal reds. The Rolet estate is constituted in AOC Arbois, as well as under the appellations Château-Chalon, Etoile and Côtes du Jura. The harvest is done by hand to preserve the terroir as much as possible. A wine library with old vintages will allow you to acquire some beautiful bottles. A successful transmission, in the respect of those who have worked the vineyard throughout these decades to make this estate become what it is today: a reference.

The hotel opened in 2012 at the entrance of L 'Star, 6 km from Lons-le-Saunier. It is a wine bar, a brasserie and a small shop. The old zinc counter does not pass unnoticed, even though it is not long. The bistro-style rooms with very contemporary decor play with wood shades. This friendly place offers a friendly welcome with an efficient service. The rich breakfast buffet and the midi formula in full menu are excellent value for money. The house aperitif with red wine, laurel leaves and Jura's marc is unique. It invites you to enjoy the dishes prepared on site with fresh seasonal produce. The map (in the evening only) brings together the specialties of Franche-Comtoise which delight gourmets (crustal crust, morteau sausage, cancoillotte or golden gold, Jurassian fondue). The accompanying sauces subliaise their flavors. Pizzas and burgers, to be enjoyed on site or to take away, are appreciated. Moreover, there are also some wine-making productions of L 'Étoile, regional Rouget-de-Lisle beer and the Jura cider.

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 one hundred and ten years of history, this cooperative continues its path with the future of a tradition as its leitmotiv. 65 ha for an annual production of 350 000 litres of wine. 45% of the wine comes from Arbois-Pupillin, 20% from Arbois, 15% from Côtes-du-Jura, 16% from Crémant and 4% from Macvin. The cellars and the bottling workshop are in the centre of the village as well as the tasting room. The tasting room has been thoroughly redesigned for a better reception. This cooperative takes part in many national events.

Bruno Mangin, from the brewery La Rouget de Lisle, had the good idea to open a wine bar in the center of Lons. It was time for his beers of character to find their place here (La Millefleur, la Grande Rivière, la Combe aux loups... and "La Marseillaise"). The cellar offers malt-based alcohols (beers, pure malt whisky, rum, vodka) and sodas (lemonades, cola) from its production. Their aromatic flavors are distilled in the glasses served at the bar, on the terrace or on our table. Also on the menu: fine Jura wines and beers from around the world.

The vineyard of the castle of Arlay would be one of the oldest in France. Vines are attested since 1070 at the foot of its fortress. This "Bon Pays" which borders both Bresse and Revermont belonged to the Burgundian counts. From then on, this enclave was called "Little Burgundy" because of the remarkable acclimatisation of the pinot noir grape. The vines are still grown here as they are in this region. The 25 ha estate is still run by the de La Guiche family (Alain, Anne and Pierre-Armand). It was a pioneer in the use of the lyre system.

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.

From its creation in 1973, it took ten years to taste the first wines. The family estate, now run by Sébastien, covers 20 ha and is a certified independent winegrower. The estate is concentrated on L'Etoile, Quintigny, Ruffey-sur-Seille and Arlay. Here you'll discover wines made from classic Jura grape varieties. The location of the vines, with its particular terroir, confers a beautiful typicity highlighting everything we love about Jura wines. This fifty-year-old estate is a well-deserved benchmark.

It was Jacques Ravonneaux who, in the 1980s, took over his uncle's small brewery business, leaving his job at Solvay. The small warehouse hidden behind the church has metamorphosed into a giant showcase since 2010 on more than 2,400 ^m2, not counting the shelving. Impossible to miss it, facing the airport, along the RN 73 between Tavaux and Dole. The Ravonneaux family has become one of the greatest French beer specialists. More than 1,300 references for sale! An impulse that we owe to Janine, the sister, but above all to Claude, both of whom disappeared too soon. Claude was nicknamed "the Pope of Beer"! The store's 400 ^m2 are divided into thematic modules: glassware (including beer bottles), party items, alcoholic beverages, whisky and rum cellar, wine cellar. The loose tea and coffee space tickles the nostrils as soon as you cross the threshold. The evenings come alive with tastings discovered during the year. The open house in April is always popular with both professionals and private individuals.

This is a beautiful estate that has seen several generations succeed one another since 1859. Valentin took over after Annie and Jean-Claude. He started the reconversion to organic and biodynamic farming. With more than 9 ha, there is no lack of work, including 4 ha in the Chateau-Chalon appellation. The "Sous Roche" vineyard alone is evocative! All the grape varieties are present, including an exclusive Chardonnay hillside in the Château-Chalon AOC. In the cellar you will find wines of character vinified with great care, reflecting the Jura terroir.

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.

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.

Since 1947, Caves Maurin de Dole has been managing no fewer than 600 wines, 400 spirits and 300 beers from all wine-growing regions. You'll find wines from the Jura, Burgundy and elsewhere. Another of the company's strengths: a fine range of whiskies, liqueurs and champagnes. And let's not forget the beer section! Located not far from the Intermarché supermarket, the store is spacious and well organized. And the advice is always sound. In short, this is a store you really must visit! One of the region's must-visit addresses.