Jean Foillard Estate

The Domaine Jean Foillard, located in the Morgon cru in the heart of Beaujolais, is one of the region's benchmarks. Known for its natural practices and commitment to quality and authenticity, Jean Foillard produces wines that capture the essence of the Morgon terroir.

Morgon is one of the ten crus of Beaujolais, renowned for its characterful red wines made mainly from the Gamay grape. The Morgon terroir is distinguished by its granitic soils rich in schist and manganese, giving the wines a unique structure and depth. Jean Foillard's vineyards are located on privileged parcels, notably on the famous Côte du Py, a volcanic hill that produces some of the region's most sought-after wines.

Jean Foillard, often considered a pioneer of the natural wine movement, took over the family estate in the 1980s. Inspired by the philosophy of Jules Chauvet, a winemaker and oenologist who pioneered natural wines, Foillard is committed to environmentally-friendly viticulture, excluding chemicals and favoring traditional, artisanal practices.

The Domaine Jean Foillard produces natural red wines made from Gamay grapes. Foillard wines are renowned for their aromatic purity, finesse and ageing capacity. They often feature aromas of red fruits (cherry, raspberry), black fruits (blackberry, blackcurrant), as well as floral (violet) and spicy notes.

Jean Foillard is a fervent advocate of organic viticulture and natural winemaking methods. In the vineyards, he uses strict organic practices, without herbicides or pesticides, favoring biodiversity and soil health. The grapes are harvested by hand, allowing for rigorous selection.

In the cellar, Domaine Foillard practices traditional, minimalist winemaking. Fermentations are carried out with indigenous yeasts, with no sulfur added, or only minimal amounts if necessary. Maceration is long, often in whole bunches, to extract color, tannins and aromas gently and progressively. The wines are then aged in foudres or old oak barrels, allowing harmonious evolution without masking woody aromas.

The wines of Domaine Jean Foillard are "living" wines, fully expressing the Morgon terroir with remarkable depth and complexity. On the palate, they are silky, elegant and balanced, with lovely freshness and fine tannins. Emblematic cuvées such as "Côte du Py" and "Corcelette" perfectly illustrate this approach, offering wines of great purity and long ageing potential.