From vines to wine

With partnerships across 300 plots !

J. Moreau & Fils was founded in 1814, making it one of the oldest wine houses in Chablis. It has built its reputation on an in-depth understanding of the terroir and a significant involvement in the vines and their production that could be described as viniculture*, along with strong partnerships with producers.

For J. Moreau & Fils, it is essential to ensure a reliable supply of high-quality grapes. To do this, the wine house forms close partnerships with an increasing number of growers based on strict specifications that are defined by both parties together. They cover work in the vines and pressing for the purchase of must.

This type of collaboration is clearly popular because J. Moreau & Fils has gone from eight to 16 partnerships over the last few years, adding new appellations to its portfolio. For the 2017 vintage, the volume harvested was more than double, particularly for grapes from premier cru appellations. Viniculture is the perfect approach for a virtuous circle with grape-growing partners.

More than just a contract, these partnerships are real relationships of trust, with some growers having worked with J. Moreau & Fils in this way for more than 15 years. Such partnerships mean that J. Moreau & Fils can now select grapes from more than 300 individual plots, classified according to their characteristics, and can monitor work in the vines. This rigorous and precise approach continues into the winery and the different phases of wine production.

The partnerships are overseen by winemaker Lucie Depuydt. She selects the plots, closely studying the soil and subsoil, aspect and slope of each one with her partner winegrowers. She monitors the vines, treatments, and work in the vines throughout the growth cycle.

The virtuous principle of these partnerships ensures the style is maintained of these great white wines that are complex and elegant, and always harmonious.

*Viniculture is where vinification meets viticulture. It brings together these two essential aspects of winemaking that are the work in the vines, and that in the winery and the cellar.