MAISON JEAN LORON IS A REAL CONSTELLATION OF TALENTS IN ITS VINEYARD AND IN ITS WINE INDUSTRY
High Standards and Strong Character
Three centuries of tradition and boldness have passed since the early days of Jean Loron… The Maison has remained close to its roots, with 220 hectares of vines certified High Environmental Value.
South Burdundy and Beaujolais
Maison Jean Loron grows 180 hectares of vines through its own estates. Theses estates have been acquired over the years and are spread over the most beautiful terroirs of the Beaujolais and Mâconnais region between Lyon and Beaune, in the southernmost part of the “Grande Bourgogne”. These vines flourish in an exceptional environment and are blessed with a rich, complex geology and a climate with many different influences. Each estate presents its own singularity through its protected designations of origin.
Agronomists, oenologists, crop managers and cellarmen deploy their know-how and their sensitivity through the wines of Maison Jean Loron, which is also a winemaker and winematurer. The main winery is located at the headquarters of Maison Jean Loron in Pontanevaux. A sign of the high standards and the strong culture of excellence which characterize Maison Jean Loron, the underground cellar now houses the Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru “Au Vignerais”, a jewel that rests in barrels called “Croix Saint Herem” made with centuries-old oaks of the Fontainebleau forest, near Paris.
Juliénas domaine de la vieille église, Beaujolais Rhône, juin 2011
Reflecting their mosaic of terroirs, these grape varietals are the conductive thread of our wines. And because each wine is made from only one of these 3 grape varietals, the winemaker is driven by a quest for unparalleled purity.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay appears to originate from Burgundy. It was already cultivated there by the Cluny monks, before spreading to the rest of the region then the whole world thanks to its great ability to adapt. Chardonnay is at its best in the soils of Burgundy. Across Burgundy’s different climats, Chardonnay wines are blessed with a beautiful finesse and a great elegance.
Gamay Noir
Gamay Noir
Gamay Noir probably comes from the south-east of France, planted by the Romans. Many decades ago, it discovered its preferred soil on the granite hills of Beaujolais (more than 60% of Gamay grapes are planted in Beaujolais). It’s a black grape variety with white juice and has medium-sized, juicy berries in clusters. Mainly cultivated by hand, it needs a lot of attention. The distinctive feature of this grape variety is that it produces soft, fruity red wines that can be drunk “young”, but with suitable maturing it develops the ability to age extremely well.
Pinot noir
Pinot noir
Pinot Noir is a very old varietal, father of a multitude of other varietals, including Chardonnay and Gamay.
Pinot Noir is a capricious varietal that is difficult to grow. It requires a northerly climate to express its full complexity.
Our Pinot Noir plots are planted in the heart of “Pierres Dorées”, in the south of Beaujolais. This southern territory of Grande Bourgogne, whose soil quality and typicity have been scrutinized for many years, offers an incredible experience combined with Pinot Noir.
CELEBRATING TWO GREAT GRAPE VARIETIES
CHARDONNAY AND GAMAY NOIR
There is no great wine without perseverance and hard work in spades.
Maintaining the vines’ vital balance is an annual mission. The process varies between innovative methods in the restructured vines and traditional methods in the very old, renowned vines, but always in an ecosystem where biodiversity is promoted. All the vineyard and estates of Maison Jean Loron were certified High Environmental Value, level 3.
Maison Jean Loron has also taken steps to convert more than 30 ha of vines to organic farming. Endowed with an innovative spirit, Maison Jean Loron is a partner of the start-up Biomédé, which carries out scientific research into the phytoremediation process, namely reducing soil pollution by copper.
Our terroir specialists, Rémi Vincent and Denis Poyet, have a philosophy of respecting the different climats and lieux-dits to bring out the diversity and richness of the wines.
Rémi Vincent Vineyard Manager/Oenologist
Rémi Vincent Vineyard Manager/Oenologist
Rémi is the Maison’s red wine specialist.
He grew up in the heart of the wine-growing region of Alsace. Passionate about life and earth sciences, his studies led him to Bordeaux where some compelling experiences persuaded him to enrol in viticulture and oenology.
After obtaining his National Diploma in Oenology, his career in Burgundy began on a renowned estate and, aware of the crucial role played by vines in creating exceptional wines, Rémi further immersed himself in organic farming methods to cultivate the vines.
In 2007, he was given the opportunity to work for the Maison Jean Loron as Vineyard Manager responsible for the Crus du Beaujolais (120 hectares). Rémi is also responsible for a winery that produces Beaujolais-Villages. He now puts his agronomist and wine-making skills to good use taking care of the terroirs in all their diversity.
Denis Poyet Oenologist/Wine Purchasing Manager
Denis Poyet Oenologist/Wine Purchasing Manager
Denis is the Maison’s white wine specialist.
Originally from the south of Beaujolais, Denis studied viticulture then gained his National Diploma in Oenology. After completing his studies, he immediately plunged himself into his subject and created a series of wines at the family estate.
A subsequent visit to Australia for a few months gave him a new outlook on wine-making; one that was more modern and innovative. Afterwards he returned to his roots, recognising Burgundy’s exceptional wine-making heritage.
Denis then worked for a large and highly reputed wine company as an oenologist. During this time he worked with some of the greatest chefs (including Paul Bocuse and Pierre Troisgros).
In 2013, Denis joined the Maison Jean Loron as an oenologist and Chardonnay expert.
With his wealth of experience, Denis now works in close collaboration with the Mâconnais growers and is responsible for the Maison’s whites.
The value of Time
The Maison has retained the name of its ancestor and the winemakers’ secrets have been passed down through history. Some have had the chance to rub shoulders with the father of “Natural wines” Jules Chauvet, who has a major impact on the approach and sensitivity in the development of our wines even today. Our mantra has been the same since the very beginning: give equal importance to the winemaking and the ageing process. This latter step can take several years and allows the wines’ aromatic expression to develop. Our “Réserves Caveaux” are the result of our unique expertise and the selection of these cuvées is rigorous:foeno an exceptional terroir, a remarkable vintage and excellent ageing potential have been the required conditions for decades.
Frédéric Maignet
Recently appointed oenologist in charge of the Maison, Frederic Maignet, native of Beaujolais, bears the inimitable signature of the Jean Loron style, transmitted to him by Jean-Pierre Rodet, during more than 20 years.
He continues to reveal the best of our grape varietals: a fleshy and spicy Gamay Noir; a floral and mineral Chardonnay.
Over the years, Maison Jean Loron built up a rare “oenothèque”, or wine collection of which only Frédéric Maignet holds the key …
Jean-Pierre Rodet Technical Director/Oenologist
Jean-Pierre Rodet Technical Director/Oenologist
A native of Beaujolais, Frédéric studied wine at the University of Burgundy in Dijon, and obtained his oenologist diploma in 1988. His first experience in Beaujolais & Maconnais, a graduation internship, took place at Maison Jean Loron. There he met Jean-Pierre Rodet.
In 1989, he went to Touraine where he took over the responsibility of an analysis laboratory. It is during these years that he really learned “the job” in the field. For 4 years, he managed a structure of 3 laboratories located in Beaujolais, Touraine and Bordelais.
In 1997, at the request of the Maison Jean Loron, he returned to his roots and took over the management of the laboratory and worked on the development and technical follow-up of winemaking. In parallel, and following his previous experience, he created the “Vigne and Vin Conseil” structure, a unique company in Beaujolais. Drawing on the technical expertise of Maison Jean Loron, he strives to provide agronomic and oenological advice to all wine operators in the region and elsewhere, always based on the fundamental analysis of tasting.
In 2019, having won the confidence of all The Maison, he is offered the position of oenologist in charge and is the guarantor of the quality of all the wines.
