Valentin Morel
Just a few years after earning a masters degree in international law, Valentin Morel decided he would prefer making wines inspired by his readings of biodynamic visionary Rudolph Steiner. Valentin studied winemaking in Alsace, where he was introduced and influenced by natural winemakers like Pierre Frick and Bruno Schueller. In 2014 Valentin joined the family domaine.
Valentin’s grandfather operated a sawmill in Poligny, one of the traditional “metiers” in this forested region. After retirement in 1978, he decided to plant 10 hectares of vineyards with his son Jean-Luc. From 1978 to 1985, they sold off grapes to the local co-op, and in 1985 they began bottling their own wines. Jean-Luc had long involved with the local “Confederation Paysan”, and in 1999 stopped using herbicide and began plowing all of the vineyards. This literally laid the groundwork for the conversion to biodynamic agriculture when Valentin joined the domaine and produced his first vintage in 2014.
All of the wines are produced with natural yeast and no additions other than tiny amounts of sulfur on some bottlings (zero sulfur on others).
Chardonnay Les Trouillots and Pinot Noir Les Trouillots were produced with zero sulfur during production and bottling.
"If his first vintage is anything to go on, Valentin Morel will be a force to be reckoned with. These are electric wines that show the soul of the new Jura." -Josh Adler, Paris Wine Co.
Wines
Côtes du Jura Chardonnay Les Trouillots
Varietal: Chardonnay
Color: White
Farming Practice: Biodynamic
Biodynamic. This Chardonnay comes from 35 year old vines planted on Trouillot Marl terroir. Hand harvested, destemmed, and pressed directly to tank. Native yeast fermentation and malolactic fermentation start in tank and wine is then transferred to neutral 600 liter barrels to complete fermentation. Bottled unfiltered with no sulfur added.
Côtes du Jura Chardonnay Saint Savin
Varietal: Chardonnay
Color: White
Farming Practice: Biodynamic
Biodynamic. This Chardonnay comes from 35+ year old vines planted on limestone. Hand harvested, destemmed, and pressed. Native yeast fermentation in old foudres followed by aging and malolactic fermentation in used 600 L barrels. Bottled unfiltered with no additions beyond minimal sulfur.
Cotes du Jura Pinot Noir Les Trouillots
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Color: Red
Farming Practice: Biodynamic
Biodynamic. 35+ year old vines planted on the Triassic marl soil of Trouillots. Manual harvest, Destemmed but kept whole berry with 12 day maceration (no punchdowns) under a blanket of CO2 to avoid using sulfur. Spontaneous semi carbonic fermentation and malolactic in stainless steel then racked onto fine lees and aged in stainless steel tanks. Unfiltered. SO2: 1 g /hl at bottling.
Cotes du Jura Poulsard Les Trouillots
Varietal: Poulsard
Color: Red
Farming Practice: Biodynamic
Biodynamic. 35+ year old vines planted on the Triassic marl soil of Trouillots. Manual harvest, Destemmed but kept whole berry with 15 day maceration (no punchdowns) under a blanket of CO2 to avoid using sulfur. Spontaneous semi carbonic fermentation and malolactic in stainless steel then racked onto fine lees and aged in stainless steel tanks. Unfiltered. SO2: 1 g /hl at bottling.
Cotes du Jura Savagnin
Varietal: Savagnin
Color: White
Farming Practice: Biodynamic
Biodynamic. 100% Savagnin from Saint Savin grown on limestone and Trouillot Marl. 35+ year old vines. Manual harvest, direct pressed into steel for alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. Then transferred to neutral barrels (600 liter) for ageing. No SO2 added at bottling.
Cotes du Jura Trousseau Les Trouillots
Varietal: Trousseau
Color: Red
Farming Practice: Biodynamic
Biodynamic. 35+ year old vines planted on the Triassic marl soil of Trouillots. Manual harvest, Destemmed but kept whole berry with 12 day maceration (no punchdowns) under a blanket of CO2 to avoid using sulfur. Spontaneous semi carbonic fermentation and malolactic in stainless steel then racked onto fine lees and aged in stainless steel tanks. Unfiltered. SO2: 1 g /hl at bottling.