In the heart of the Loire region, amidst gentle slopes and lush nature, lies Domaine Julien Pineau, a tale of passion, discovery, and reverence for the land. Originally from Tours, Julien Pineau embarked on an academic journey studying sociology and law, fields that would have bored him to death had he pursued them professionally. However, his life took an unexpected turn during his college years when he worked for the Alliance Française in Seattle and later in Sicily. Upon returning to France, he found himself engaged in a series of odd jobs, from fruit picking to a brief stint at an antique store, and even studying soil compositions for a geology center.
It was during a harvest at Lise and Bertrand Jousset's in Montlouis that Julien had his epiphany with wine. Although Bertrand encouraged him to study viticulture in Amboise, Julien's original plan was to open a wine bar. Yet, his time spent in the vineyards, working with Jousset, Noëlla Morantin, and Les Terres Promises in Provence, gradually shifted his focus towards the plants, the soil, the flowers, and even the insects inhabiting the land.
Upon learning that Catherine Roussel of Clos Roche Blanche was looking to sell her land, Julien seized the opportunity to invest in the legendary site with his partner Laurent Saillard. They divided the 12 hectares evenly, with Julien now tending to six hectares of Sauvignon Blanc, Côt, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and appropriately, Pineau d'Aunis.
The year 2015 marked Julien's inaugural vintage. In the vineyards, the inherited greatness of the Clos's terroir is honored: the land is meticulously tended by hand, allowing the soils to exist in harmony with the myriad of plants and insects that call it home. With his wife being an agronomist, future plans for the land include the cultivation of fruit trees and the introduction of free-roaming animals to enhance polyculture. In the cellar, no sulfur is added at any point, and Julien favors extended aging of his cuvées, often releasing them 12 to 24 months after harvest.
Domaine Julien Pineau is nestled in an extraordinary natural setting, surrounded by forests and vineyards stretching across gentle slopes. Biodiversity is paramount, and nature is revered in all its forms. Though not certified, Julien embraces biodynamic principles, collaborating with fellow winemakers in the area, employing biodynamic preparations, and following lunar cycles.
The soils, composed of clay, silex, and limestone subsoils, are impoverished. Julien cultivates a variety of grapes including Sauvignon Blanc, Côt, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pineau d'Aunis, and Gamay, with Menu Pineau also in his vineyard. The vines vary in age, with some of the oldest Pineau d'Aunis in the Loire and Côt vines dating back up to 120 years.
All grapes are harvested by hand and carefully transported in small containers to avoid damage. While pressing takes place above ground, the vats and barrels are all underground, with wine flowing through tubes carved into the rock to the vessels below. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel and fiberglass, with the wines either untouched by oak or aged in very old barrels of various sizes. Since 2016, all wines have been produced without the addition of sulfites.
