Jean-Francois farms just under 4 hectares of vines around Grusse in the south of the Jura. Formerly a graphic designer and wine merchant moved into winemaking, spending a few years working at Domaine Buronfosse before setting up his own estate, slowly finding some vines for himself. It is very early days in his journey, but he is already making remarkably accomplished, detailed and powerful wines. The Chardonnays tend to be given a long elevage and aged in burgundy barrels, the reds in tank and released a little younger. As is usual for growers in this region, quantities are limited. 

The Côtes du Jura Chardonnay “Premier pas” cuvée comes from a blend of two plots located in Grusse. The soils of this terroir are essentially composed of gray Lias marl covered by silt.

The grapes were pressed direct and the wine was aged for 14 months in old Burgundy barrels. After a disastrous 2021, where he lost almost everything to frost, Jean-Francois has bounced back with perhaps our favourite wine from him so far. Crystalline fruit, length and real depth and minerality. Generous now, it will age quite wonderfully too.

This is mostly Savagnin grown on lias and trias marnes soils and glacial scree, classic to the region and perfect for this varietal. The grapes are pressed whole bunch and then aged in barrel for 14 months, it's topped up with his Chardonnay from 2023 to give a little more power. This opens up beautifully with a little air, unfurling into a wine full of fruit, salt and minerals. Already very enjoyable it will age wonderfully. 

50% Trousseau, 50% Pinot Noir grown on lias and trias marnes soils, the grapes were macerated 20% whole bunch, the rest de-stemmed and macerated for 8 days before ageing separately for 12 months in fibreglass and 500l barrels. The wines were blended on a good moon, left to integrate, then bottled on another good moon a few months later. A beautiful example of these two varietals brimming with wild herbs, dark silky fruit and very lithe tannins.