Denis Jeandeau, a talented winemaker passionate about the Mâconnais, perfectly represents the region’s rising generation.

He was established in 2006 under his own name following the sale of the family winery. He is from a family of winegrowers and has been for five generations.

“Artisan wine grower, I aim to craft quality wines as naturally as possible while respecting the environment and our terroir.” Denis Jeandeau

DENIS JEANDEAU

With his Viticulture-Winemaking Diploma safely tucked in his pocket, Denis embarked upon a ’round the world’ winemaking adventure before taking over the family Domaine in Fuissé.

After successfully converting the family property to organic standards/status, in 2006, he decided to start his own Domaine, starting with only one modest hectare of vineyard in Vire-Clessé.

He completes this by buying grapes mainly from old vines, which he harvests on 4 hectares and then meticulously vinifies.

Artisan wine grower Denis aims to craft quality wines as naturally as possible while respecting the environment and terroir. His wines follow the principles of biodynamic and manual and horse ploughing.

FIVE GENERATIONS

His ancestors have worked with the same high demands for five generations to produce quality pure and natural wines. His great-grandfather Claudius traditionally ploughed the vineyards. Today, respectful of this heritage, Denis ploughs all his vineyards manually, sometimes with the help of a horse. This prevents the soil from becoming compacted and aids the vine stock in taking root. It allows them to extract more mineral elements, which is vital in expressing the amazing terroir characteristics.

HAND HARVESTING

After tasting berries from each parcel, the grapes are hand-harvested at the peak of their maturity and collected as whole berries in 20kg crates. This is crucial to maintain the integrity of the original fruit flavours. The yields are limited to 35/40 hectolitres per hectare to optimise the aromatic concentration of the wines.

NATURAL WINEMAKING

The juices are vinified naturally using indigenous wild yeasts, thus guaranteeing the typicity of each plot. The wines are matured on their lees, mostly in small barrels for 12 to 18 months.

The wines are bottled without fining or filtration.

HIS WINES

Pouilly Fuissé Vieilles Vignes, 2020

Rooted in the village of Pouilly, these fifty-five-year-old vines benefit from an Eastern exposure. Mostly on clay soils, the wines reveal rich aromas and salty notes.
Vines: 55 years old
Soil: clay & limestone
Exposure: East and South-East

“The 2020 Pouilly-Fuissé Vieilles Vignes is the richest, most demonstrative wine in the range, delivering aromas of peach, citrus oil, nutmeg and freshly baked bread. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and enveloping, with a generous but vibrant core of fruit and a long, saline finish, it will drink well young. DRINK: 2022-2030.” 92 Points, Wine Advocate, William Kelley, September 2022

Pouilly-Fuissé Cuvée Secret Minéral, 2020

Anchored in the villages of Solutre and Vergisson between 350 and 450 meters above sea level, these vines produce wines of great finesse. 
Vines: 45 years old
Soil: Marnes du Lias (Jurassique inférieur)
Exposure : East and South-East

“Including fruit from prime lieu-dit En Buland, the 2020 Pouilly-Fuissé Secret Minéral has turned out beautifully, mingling aromas of crisp yellow orchard fruit and citrus zest with notions of freshly baked bread, nutmeg and white flowers in an inviting bouquet. Medium to full-bodied, ample and incisive, it’s seamless and elegant, with racy acids and a bright, saline finish. DRINK: 2023-2035.” 94 Points, Wine Advocate, William Kelley, September 2022

THE ELITE WINEGROWER

His constant progress has placed him among the elite winegrowers of the appellation and established him as one of the most exciting winemakers in the Maconnais.

His high-quality wines can be found in the best restaurants in the World.

Very early, the young winemaker chose a premium and limited production with a hyper-selective distribution.

We are proud to have represented Denis’ wines in the UK since he started his Domaine in 2006. Go to Denis Jeandeau’s wines here

Denis Jeandeau with Christophe Galez – April 2023 visit