Domaine de la Renardière
JURA
Descending from a large winemaking family in Pupillin, near Arbois, Jean-Michel Petit started out in viticulture with a desire to keep the domaine on a human scale, favouring parcel selections with an approach that respects the soil: a rigorous philosophy fully in line with the revival of Jura wines over the past three decades.
Jean-Michel Petit created his Pupillin estate in 1990, first renting a few vines from his father (who had chosen to become a member of the fruitière cooperative) and gradually expanding to an area that spans 7.5 hectares, considered adequate for this style of viticulture. Today, he is assisted by his son, Leo. Under the name La Renardière, the domaine has evolved to follow organic/biodynamic practices, opting for vinification methods that bend to each terroir and the characteristics these impart to the grapes, in particular Chardonnay and Ploussard – the main two grape varieties cultivated. The terroir is characterised by its marl subsoil, lying just below the topsoil surface; this unique feature of the steep slopes of Pupillin is particularly favourable to growing Poulsard, but also Savagnin. No chemical inputs, vinification using indigenous yeasts and minimal doses of sulfur before bottling: precise in their aromatic and mineral expression, the wines from the domaine are considered among the most honest and representative of the Pupillin terroir.
