Jérôme BRETAUDEAU

Jérôme Bretaudeau is at the forefront of a new wave of vintners revitalizing the Muscadet region, the westernmost appellation in the Loire Valley. Located where the Loire River meets the Atlantic Ocean, Muscadet is characterized by a cool, maritime climate and granitic soils rich in igneous rocks, silica pebbles, and quartz. This unique terroir produces distinctive wines noted for their low alcohol, high acidity, and complex minerality.

In stark contrast to the prevailing practices of Muscadet, which is often dominated by overcropped, industrially-produced wines from cooperatives, Jérôme’s Domaine de Bellevue distinguishes itself with 15 hectares of vineyards that are both organically (Ecocert certified since 2012) and biodynamically (Biodyvin certified since 2020) cultivated. Jérôme’s approach is both innovative and experimental, crafting not only grape varieties from the appellation’s signature Melon de Bourgogne but from Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Savagnin, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sauvignon Gris.

Domaine de Bellevue is defined by an intriguing mosaic of 10 parcels, each with its own distinctive soil composition—from gabbro and amphibolite to granite and sandy loam. This geological diversity is instrumental in Jérôme’s winemaking, allowing him to craft a range of expressions that epitomize the versatility of the Muscadet region.

The harvesting at Domaine de Bellevue is meticulously timed, ensuring that each variety reaches optimal maturity. In the cellar, Jérôme employs diverse fermentation techniques tailored to best express the character of each variety. The wines typically undergo prolonged, slow fermentation over indigenous yeasts to preserve each variety’s intrinsic qualities. Aging is skillfully managed in a variety of vessels, including traditional oak barrels, modern tanks, cement eggs, and amphorae, each chosen to suit the desired profile of the wine.

Above all, Jérôme Bretaudeau’s wines stand as a testament to his pioneering spirit, offering fresh perspectives not only on Muscadet but also on a thoughtful array of other varieties. His ability to capture the unique properties of each grape variety and parcel results in wines that are not only faithful reflections of their terroir but also showcase Jérôme’s creative genius.

COUNTRY
France
REGION
Loire
APPELLATION(S)
Pays Nantais
WINEMAKER
Jérôme Bretaudeau
FOUNDED
1950
VINEYARD AREA
12 hectares
FARMING
Organic (Certified); Biodynamic (in process)
WEBSITE
jeromebretaudeau.wordpress.com

Gaïa, cuvée Ovoïde

LOCALITY: FRANCE – Loire – Muscadet – Gétigné
APPELLATION: Vin de France
GRAPE VARIETY: Melon de Bourgogne
WINEMAKER: Jérôme Bretaudeau
VINEYARD: 1.5 ha. planted in the 1960s. From multiple mid-slope parcel. Gabbro (volcanic) bedrock, sandy, silty topsoil.
VITICULTURE: Certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Biodyvin).
WINEMAKING: Grapes are sorted and then lightly pressed, followed by settling under controlled, cool temperatures. Ambient yeast fermentation.
AGING: Aged 18-24 months in concrete egg tank.
BOTTLING: Minimal SO2 only added at bottling. Unfined and unfiltered.

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La Justice

LOCALITY: FRANCE – Loire – Pays Nantais
APPELLATION: Vin de France
GRAPE VARIETY: 80% Chardonnay and 20% Savagnin.
WINEMAKER: Jérôme Bretaudeau
VINEYARD: 0.5 ha. The parcel of Chardonnay was planted in the lates 1980s and the parcel of Savagnin was planted in 2013. Pink and white granite and quartz soil.
VITICULTURE: Certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Biodyvin).
WINEMAKING: Ambient yeast fermentation.
AGING: Aged for 14 months in amphorae (90%) and barrels (10%).
BOTTLING: Minimal SO2 only added at bottling.

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Macération

LOCALITY: FRANCE – Loire – Pays Nantais
APPELLATION: Vin de France
GRAPE VARIETY: Pinot Gris
WINEMAKER: Jérôme Bretaudeau
VINEYARD: 0.5 ha. planted in the early 2000s. White and pink granite and quartz soil.
VITICULTURE: Certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Biodyvin).
WINEMAKING: Manually harvested. De-stemmed. Macerated in concrete tanks for 3 weeks then indigenous yeast alcoholic fermentation.
AGING: Aged 12-14 months in foudres, demi-muids and amphorae.
BOTTLING: Minimal SO2 only added at bottling.

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Muscadet, Gabbro, Clos des Bouquinardières

LOCALITY: FRANCE – Loire – Muscadet – Clisson
APPELLATION: Muscadet
GRAPE VARIETY: 100% Melon de Bourgogne.
WINEMAKER: Jérôme Bretaudeau
VINEYARD: 6 ha. planted in the early 1990s. The soil is composed with Gabbro, clay and quartz.
VITICULTURE: Certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Biodyvin).
WINEMAKING: Directly pressed and fermented over ambient yeasts.
AGING: Aged for 18 months in underground tanks lines with glass tiles.
BOTTLING: Minimal SO2 only added at bottling. No fining, no filtration.

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Muscadet, Granit, Clos des Perrières

LOCALITY: FRANCE – Loire – Muscadet
APPELLATION: Muscadet
GRAPE VARIETY: Melon B
WINEMAKER: Jérôme Bretaudeau
VINEYARD: 2.5 ha. Planted in the 1980s. Rocky, pink and white granite and quartz soil.
VITICULTURE: Certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Biodyvin).
WINEMAKING: Grapes are sorted and then lightly pressed, followed by settling under controlled, cool temperatures. Then moved by gravity to vats where fermented (28 days) over indigenous yeasts at 16-20°C.
AGING: Aged 18-24 months on the lees in concrete tank. Batonage.
BOTTLING: Minimal SO2 only added at bottling. Lightly filtered but unfined.

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Ornaté

LOCALITY: FRANCE – Loire – Pays Nantais
APPELLATION: Vin de France
GRAPE VARIETY: Merlot
WINEMAKER: Jérôme Bretaudeau
VINEYARD: 0.5 ha. planted early 2000s. Sloped granite with white and pink quartz soils.
VITICULTURE: Certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Biodyvin).
WINEMAKING: 100% de-stemmed, alcoholic fermentation over indigenous yeasts 1 week in concrete tank. Infusion extraction.
AGING: Aged 18 months in 3 year-old Burgundian barrels.
BOTTLING: Minimal SO2 only added at bottling. No fining, no filtration.

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Solera

LOCALITY: FRANCE – Loire – Pays Nantais
APPELLATION: Vin de France
GRAPE VARIETY: Chardonnay
WINEMAKER: Jérôme Bretaudeau
VINEYARD: Planted in the 1980s. White and pink granite and quartz soil.
VITICULTURE: Certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Biodyvin).
WINEMAKING: Ambient yeast fermentation.
AGING: Aged 6 years in 400L barrel. Topped up with wines from the more recent vintages.
BOTTLING: Minimal SO2 only added at bottling. No fining, no filtration.

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Statera

LOCALITY: FRANCE – Loire – Pays Nantais
APPELLATION: Vin de France
GRAPE VARIETY: 100% Pinot Noir
WINEMAKER: Jérôme Bretaudeau
VINEYARD: 0.5 ha. planted in 2005. Pink and white quartz and granite.
VITICULTURE: Certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Biodyvin).
WINEMAKING: 100% de-stemmed. 2 weeks alcoholic fermentation over indigenous yeasts; 1 week in concrete tank. Infusion.
AGING: Aged 10-14 months in used oak barrels.
BOTTLING: Minimal SO2 only added at bottling. No fining, no filtration.

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Théia

LOCALITY: FRANCE – Loire – Muscadet
APPELLATION: Vin de France
GRAPE VARIETY: 100% Melon B.
WINEMAKER: Jérôme Bretaudeau
VINEYARD: Planted in 1988. Gabbro (volcanic) bedrock.
VITICULTURE: Certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Biodyvin).
WINEMAKING: Manually harvested. Pressed directly. Ambient yeast fermentation.
AGING: Aged for 8 months on the lees in concrete vats and foudres.
BOTTLING: Minimal SO2 only added at bottling. No fining, no filtration.

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V Sens

LOCALITY: FRANCE – Loire – Muscadet
APPELLATION: Vin de France
GRAPE VARIETY: 70% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot.
WINEMAKER: Jérôme Bretaudeau
VINEYARD: 1.5 ha. planted in 2003 and 2004. White and pink quartz and granite soil. South-east facing. Massale selection.
VITICULTURE: Certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Biodyvin).
WINEMAKING: 50% whole-cluster/ 50% de-stemmed. Maceration for 12 days in closed 350L foudre. Alternating layers of de-stemmed and whole cluster fruit during fermentation. Marc is then separated, then pressed and returned to foudre for elevage.
AGING: Aged 12-14 months in foudre.
BOTTLING: Minimal SO2 only added at bottling. No fining, no filtration. Very ligh addition of sulfur.

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