Domaine de la Renardière
Jean-Michel Petit took over three hectares that he inherited from his family in 1990. His father was supplying the local co-operative, very quickly, Jean-Michel started to implement changes in the vineyards, stopping the use of weed killers in 1992, and from 1994 only making his wines with indigenous yeasts. Also, highly unusually for the time –he began making his wines according to the plot selection. Jean-Michel now runs his 7.5 hectare organic and biodynamic estate with his Leo, who joined in 2018.
Jean-Michel has been a very active member in both the village and appellation of Arbois and Arbois-Pupillin. The particularity of this Village Cru is the steep south facing slopes and a geological fault that runs through the appellation, resulting in a myriad of different soils. Particularly rich in marls and calcaire a gyphrées. Some of the parcels date back to the 1960s and 1980s
While making distinct changes in the cellar and vineyards in the 90s, Jean-Michel decided to begin working organically in 2003, reaching certification in 2012. He also now works biodynamically and plants with cover crops on every other row. Jean-Michel's estate is split equally between red – Pinot Noir, Ploussard, Trousseau – and white – predominantly Chardonnay with a bit of Savagnin.
Each plot of Jean-Michel's is hand-picked and fermented separately using native yeasts. He uses a mixture of inox tanks (for vinification), barrels of varying sizes, foudres and grès amphora. His Crémant is also made using foudres. Jean-Michel works with Savagnin that is made both under Flor (sous-voile) and topped up (ouillé). There are no additions in the cellar, bar the possible use of some sulphur at bottling.
The Wines
Sparkling
When we tasted this Crémant, we knew we had to import it. Made solely from Chardonnay, vinified in old foudres and undergoing its second fermentation in bottle, it is bold, creamy, nutty, and smoky—a true sparkling umami bomb.
Whites
Cuvée Jurassique!!! It says it on the tin—flying the regional flag with brio. Made from Chardonnay grown on calcaire à gryphées, a fossilized oyster bedrock, the profile is dynamic and chiseled, packed with citrus, flint, and spring blossom. Perfect for discovering what Jura whites in the ouillé style are all about.
Produced in a fully controlled oxidative style, this wine is a blend of three vintages (2019, 2020, and 2021). It is poised and vibrant, with nutty, smoky, hay-scented aromas and hints of citrus oil and ginger. Perfect to sip on its own or alongside hard cheeses.
This Chardonnay is grown on grey marls from the Triassic period, which bring greater amplitude compared to “Jurassique” from Domaine de la Renardière. The vineyard itself is fascinating, descending with a different exposure and soil composition as a result of natural geological faults. Jean-Michel confesses that it has always produced the domaine’s most expressive, spellbinding wines. There is a mid-weight core of juicy yellow plum, layered with toasted and umami notes. Simply delicious.
A true Jura sweet specialty, made from fresh Chardonnay juice from 2020 and fortified with local brandy, which Jean-Michel ages himself. Wonderfully inviting, with notes of blond chocolate, raisins, dried apricot, and fresh grape juice. Best enjoyed chilled as an aperitif.
The oldest vineyard at Domaine de la Renardière, planted by Jean-Michel’s father and now vinified by Léo—three generations of Petit in one bottle. This is a strikingly pure and rich expression of Chardonnay, delivered with poise and elegance. A wine of true refinement, perfect at the table with roast chicken and wild mushroom fricassée.
Les Terrasses is the Savagnin echo to Jurassique Chardonnay, offering the same saline, smoky, zesty character with a beautifully centered, flinty core. An absolutely brilliant, free-spirited yet classical expression of Savagnin—one we truly love.