Jean-Paul Brun (Domaine des Terres Dorées)
Jean-Paul Brun : The golden icon of Beaujolais
The story begins in the village of Charnay, in the south of the Beaujolais region in France. Jean-Paul Brun grew up on the farm owned by his father, surrounded by pigs, cows, chickens, meadows, and four small hectares of vineyards planted with Chardonnay and Gamay, on a limestone terroir nicknamed the “Golden Lands.”
As Jean-Paul grew older, his interest in the wine world became increasingly evident. His father therefore decided to set up a small winery and stopped selling the grapes from his land to the cooperative cellar. This decision gave rise to Jean-Paul’s very first winemaking endeavor in 1977.
In 1979, Jean-Paul Brun leased the family vineyards and converted the Golden Lands into a domaine.
He created his very first cuvée, Beaujolais Blanc, from the Chardonnay vines. This was followed by the cuvée l’Ancien, made from Gamay.
And so began the journey of one of the most iconic figures in the wine world.
Alone in holding the fort at that time, Jean-Paul did everything himself, from harvesting to sales, including winemaking and bottling.
Aware of the enormous potential not only of his land, but of the entire Beaujolais vineyard, he acquired new plots over the years on the granitic terroirs of Morgon, Brouilly, Moulin-à-Vent, and Fleurie.
His domaine now extends over more than 60 hectares of vineyards, and he puts his signature on more than twenty cuvées, made from the Gamay, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Roussanne grape varieties.
He has always stood out in the region for his choice to practice Burgundian vinification, rather than (semi)carbonic maceration. Instead of following trends that have nonetheless become the hallmark of Beaujolais, he focuses on crafting wines for aging, imbued with greater depth and complexity. The aim is to produce digestible wines faithful to their terroirs, enjoyable both on their own and paired with a good meal, and capable of aging gracefully if desired.
Jean-Paul Brun is also one of the pioneers in the region in crafting artisanal wines from sustainable, and mostly organic, farming practices. While initially working conventionally, he quickly realized that the future of his vineyards (and vineyards worldwide) lies in a deep respect for the surrounding nature, leading him to convert all his techniques and vineyards in the early 2000s. All his wines are crafted in an artisanal, natural manner. Fermentations occur with indigenous yeasts, and vinifications are minimally interventionist and carefully monitored to avoid any flaws.
His approach is rooted in respect for the plant, its product, and its consumers. Jean-Paul Brun’s wines are a true guarantee of quality, proudly produced by this legendary figure who, even today, revolutionizes the image of the beautiful Beaujolais region.
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