The power of horses
WHY JURA?
Dimitri Vetois and Marion Valverde are names every serious wine enthusiast should know. The magnetic allure of their wines hits you like the initial spark of a crush. Tasting these wines stops time, creating a rare and unforgettable moment. The fact that we had to travel to Paris for our first bottle of La Grange 476 speaks volumes about their exceptional quality. When we rang Dimitri and Marion's doorbell in early spring 2023, Marion informed us that their first vintage, 2020, was completely sold out, along with the limited 2021 vintage. The 2022 vintage remained in the barrel, set for release in December 2024. We have repeatedly returned, utterly captivated by the wines and the compelling story behind them. Why Jura? The answer is simple—it was pure serendipity, and they checked all the essential boxes: outstanding land, remarkable vineyards at a fair price, an old cellar beneath their house, and ample horse space.
BEST OF THE WORLD
La Grange 467 is anchored in the stunning village of Menétru-le-Vignoble, surrounded by undulating green hills, grazing cows, and the invigorating scent of morning dew. It's just a thirty-minute drive from Arbois, with breathtaking views of Burgundy. Dimitri and Marion's vineyards sit in the illustrious Château Chalon appellation, which possesses one of the best terroirs in the world. Grey marl, combined with clay and pebble limestone soils oriented towards the West, East, and South, produces nothing short of extraordinary wines.
PRIEURÉ ROCH AND MARK ANGELI
Dimitri comes from a wine-loving family in the Loire region. His father had an enduring passion for Prieuré Roch's and Mark Angeli's wines, instilling in Dimitri an early fascination with natural wines, especially those of Claude Courtois and Alain Castex. Despite initially studying psychology, a transformative working holiday at New Zealand's biodynamic Rippon Vineyards in 2009 ignited his dedication to winemaking. Upon his return to France, he completed a two-year program in Beaune, earning a BTS in Viti-Oeno and gaining invaluable experience across several renowned estates in Menetou-Salon, Sancerre, Limoux, and Burgundy.
SOFERINO AND KYHR
Hailing from the Puy-de-Dôme region in Auvergne, Marion has harboured a lifelong passion for horses. After a successful career as a nurse specializing in palliative medicine, she followed her heart back to equine pursuits. Studying under Jean-Louis Canelle, a celebrated expert in draft horse breeding and land cultivation, Marion earned a national qualification and is now expertly caring for the vineyards at La Grange 476. Her approach to vineyard management harnesses the power of horses, creating a profound connection between the animal, the land, and humankind. With her Comtois horses, Soferino and Khyr, Marion fosters a sustainable ecosystem that enhances the organic life in the vineyards.
LUNAR CYCLES
By 2015, Dimitri had already made significant strides in winemaking. Influential meetings with natural wine pioneers such as Olivier Cousin, Mark Angeli, and Julien Guyot intensified his resolve to acquire their vineyards. It was Mark Angeli who motivated them to embark on this journey. Taking his advice seriously, they committed to cultivating only mono-plots to understand each vineyard's unique expression better. Their focus is on revealing the specific characteristics of their micro-terroir with precision. From day one, they have adhered to organic and biodynamic practices, reflecting their artisanal and natural agriculture philosophy. All work is meticulously done by hand, following lunar cycles. Their vineyards, located less than five kilometres from their home, embody the enchanting essence of the Château-Chalon terroir, which are mostly with Savagnin; they also grow Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Poulsard, and some Melon à queue rouge.
PURE AND HARMONIOUS
The winemaking process at La Grange 476 is refreshingly straightforward and grounded in the belief that great wines come from the vineyards. Throughout the maturation process, the grapes receive constant attention. Dimitri and Marion seek a pure expression of terroir by vinifying by plot. The white wines are pressed directly into aged barrels, while the reds are meticulously destemmed by hand using traditional reed mats. Wines mature for at least 18 months in 500-litre demi-muids or 228-litre barrels before bottling—without additives- resulting in dense, layered wines that boast unique characteristics and depth. These wines are compact and beautifully balanced, with intricately woven notes of citrus oil, salt, and mint. They have a vibrant energy and perfect acidity flowing seamlessly, revealing subtle salty hints. Pure and harmonious, these exceptional wines from the Jura continue to evolve and reveal themselves with time.
WUNDERKIND STEPHEN VUILLEMIN
Finally, it's the wines themselves that truly captivate. The stunning labels designed by wunderkind Stephen Vuillemin strip down everything to the essentials, delivering an impressive and memorable focus. Each bottle is not just a drink; it's a statement of authenticity and artistry that demands attention from any serious wine lover. For the film 'A Kind of Testament' that premiered at the Berlinale Shorts 2023, Stephen Vuillemin was nominated for more than 150 world-class festivals, was shortlisted for the Academy Awards (Oscars) and the 2023 Cesars, and has won more than 40 awards. The Chardonnays Les Bouchettes and l'Angevré, the Savagnins Sous-Roche and Beaumont, the Melon à queue rouge, the Macé (fifty/fifty) and the Poulsard Solferino that Dimitri and Marion made in 2022 have a lightness and energy and innate balance that is simply stunning.
DEBUT
Unfortunately, the wines mark their debut in the Netherlands in tiny quantities. We initially allowed only a few enthusiasts, mainly friends, to taste the wines, and we sold almost half of what we had right away. If you are a fan of exceptional Jura wines, you cannot miss out on these extraordinary selections. I believe they will soon become a significant topic of conversation in Château Chalon, highlighting the unique terroir of the Jura region. I cannot recommend these wines highly enough. Consider this my gentle reminder to purchase these remarkable wines before they gain wider recognition—because we all know what happens next.
