Valentin Morel - Côtes du Jura Savagnin En Bois d'Arnaux 2019

Savagnin

Jura, France 

Organic, Biodynamic, No Sulfur Added 

Form the importer - 

2/3 Savignin, 1/3 Savagnin rose (called  klevener in Alsace) planted on argio-limestone soil and triassic marl. A newly acquired plot for the estate, Valentin purchased this property in 2014. Macerated on the skinsforthe 35 days. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in demi-muids and in stainless steel vats Aged in demi muids for 2 years before bottling.

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. Additionally, inspired by the teachings of Masanobu Fukuoka, Valentin took one step further and began an ambitious project to eliminate plowing, and rely solely on complementary cover crops planted amongst the vines to establish a healthy ecosystem in his terroir. All of the wines are produced with natural yeast and bottled with either zero or minimal sulfur (1-2g at bottling)