Géraud and Pauline Fromont leapt into the consciousness of wine lovers when they started Domaine des Marnes Blanches in 2006. They both come from the Jura, but not from wine backgrounds, and met studying wine and working in Burgundy. 

They have 4 vineyards totalling 12 hectares in the villages of Cesancey, Gevingey, Vincelles, and Ste-Agnès. On these limestone/clay and red marl soils they grow Chardonnay, Savagnin, Poulsard, Pinot Noir and Trousseau using organic practices. As well as traditional oxidative wine styles, they have keenly followed a Burgundian approach of the separate vinification and bottling of specific sites to make ‘topped up’ wines. The winemaking is marked by the use of wild yeast fermentations, and ageing in neutral oak, concrete egg, amphora or stainless steel with minimal sulphur additions. 

SPARKLING

Domaine des Marnes Blanches Crémant du Jura 2022

Made in the Champagne method from Chardonnay, this sparkling was aged for 10 months in barrel, with a further 15 months on lees in bottle with zero dosage. It’s electric and satisfying. For all its full flavours of toasted nuts, vegemite and freshly baked pastry, the palate is super fresh and invigorating.

WHITES

Domaine des Marnes Blanches Les Molates Chardonnay 2022

From a lieu-dit of Les Molates, a site of limestone clay soils with some volcanic sand, fruit was hand harvested, fermented and aged in neutral wooden casks for 10 months. It’s enticingly aromatic - red apple skin, fresh herbs, citrus and parmesan-like savoury depth. It’s elegant, textural silkiness is balanced by bracing freshness and curry leaf aromatics on the finish.

Domaine des Marnes Blanches Chardonnay En Quatre Vis 2022

From a west facing site of 50 year old vines and harder limestone soils than the Les Molates vineyard, this was aged in 500 litre barrels for just under 2 years. The outcome is exquisite. There’s such incredible intensity and depth of flavour - spearmint, rosemary, butter, apple and a saline note. It’s dense and textural, finishing with stern mineral length. 

Domaine des Marnes Blanche Savagnin Les Molates 2023

From a lieu-dit of Les Molates, a site of limestone clay soils with some volcanic sand, fruit was hand harvested, fermented and aged in neutral wooden casks for 10 months. This is a wine of beautiful richness and harmony. Florals, fennel, and lemon peel, there’s poise and elegance here, with lengthy, saline acidity. 

Domaine des Marnes Blanche Savagnin En Quatre Vis 2023

From a west facing site of 25 year old vines and harder limestone soils than the Les Molates vineyard, this is aged and topped up in a combination of concrete eggs and large wooden barrels for 10 months. Enticing aromatics of lemon zest, sea spray and wet stone, the palate here has a gentle richness, all beautifully framed with lively, linear acidity. 

REDS

Domaine des Marnes Blanche Poulsard 2023

Picked from vines between 10 and 50 years old, fruit was given a short whole bunch maceration with fermentation and ageing in neutral oak casks. The aromatics are lifted, with red currants, cranberry and a leafy, botanical complexity. It has so much freshness and energy to taste, finishing with gentle but stern tannins. 

Domaine des Marnes Blanches Pinot Noir 2022

Perfumed and intriguing Pinot with sweet raspberry and cherry aromatics, and a chiselled, taut palate. There’s a complexity of earthy, herbal flavours, and the kind of persistent, chalky structure that made us salivate. Fruit was whole bunch macerated and the wine was aged in barrel and amphora of varied sizes. 

Coup de Jus Dionysos Is On Fire 2023 (Gamay)

From Géraud and Pauline’s negociant label, this is handpicked, certified organic Gamay from Beaujolais. And it’s a joy. With bright, sweet red fruit aromatics, it’s moreish and supple with dry, sappy structure.