The French writer Stendhal once wrote, “A very small degree of hope is sufficient to
cause the birth of love”. In 2019, amidst the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, it
took more than a small degree of hope for two winemakers, friends since their student
days, to embark on a collaborative venture they baptized Croix & Courbet.
This collaboration between David Croix from Burgundy and Damien Courbet from the
Jura focuses primarily on the Savagnin grape. Their approach diverges from the
traditional oxidative vinification methods typical in Jura (sous voile). Instead, Croix &
Courbet choose to champion the non-oxidative style (ouillé) of Savagnin, which
highlights the floral and diverse characteristics of the grape and the terroir of the Jura.
Croix & Courbet aligns with organic viticulture for all their grape sourcing. The vineyards
are managed with a strong commitment to organic farming methods, enhancing the
natural expression of the terroirs. This includes minimal intervention and the use of
ambient yeasts for fermentation. The winemaking process involves lightly crushing and
pressing whole clusters, followed by ambient yeast fermentation and aging in used
barrels (228L or 500L) or cement eggs.
David and Damien have seamlessly blended their expertise from Burgundy and Jura,
creating wines that are as dynamic and unique as their partnership. Their commitment
to organic farming and minimal intervention allows the expression of Savagnin in each
vineyard to shine, resulting in wines that are vibrant, floral, and exquisitely balanced.
