Portraits of winemakers

DOMAINE DE LAHAYE: MINERALITY AND FINESSE IN THE HEART OF JURA

Domaine de Lahaye: Eight Generations of Winemaking Tradition

A Legacy of Passionate Winemaking

The story of Domaine de Lahaye began in 2003 when Jean-Pierre Tissot and his son Guillaume decided to establish the vineyard at the foot of Château Chalon's rocky cliffs, a historical site in the Jura wine region. Jean-Pierre, a seasoned winemaker since the 1970s with his own vineyard in Nevy-sur-Seille, passed down his extensive knowledge and passion for viticulture to Guillaume, who grew up among the vines. Guillaume complemented his upbringing with formal education at the École des Vins de Beaune, earning a BTS in commerce. After his studies and gaining viticultural and vinification experience in the Gard and Jura regions, Guillaume returned in 2000 to work alongside his father. In 2016, upon Jean-Pierre's retirement, Guillaume took over the reins of the estate, continuing a family tradition that spans eight generations of winemaking.

Today, Guillaume meticulously manages Domaine de Lahaye, practicing sustainable viticulture to produce grapes that best express the unique terroirs of the region. On clay-limestone soils and blue marl, characteristic of the Château Chalon appellation, he cultivates four emblematic grape varieties, including native Jura varieties: Savagnin and Chardonnay for the white wines, and Pinot Noir and Poulsard for the reds. A true enthusiast, Guillaume goes beyond the ordinary to offer high-quality wines, recognized by major French wine guides and professional competitions.

Wines of Great Finesse

For Guillaume, respect for the environment is fundamental, but so is the quality of his wines. The style of his wines? "Our wines are characterized by a beautiful minerality and great finesse for the whites, while our reds are fruity and relatively easy to drink," explains Guillaume.

One such wine is their Château Chalon 2011, an exceptional cuvée aged under a veil for six years. This method involves leaving an air gap in the barrel, allowing the wine to naturally protect itself with a yeast veil. Additionally, this 100% Savagnin wine is presented in a clavelin, a distinctive 62 cl bottle reserved for this type of wine, as 40% of the wine is lost during racking. With its characteristic golden-yellow hue, this wine impresses with its intense nose of hazelnut and almond, and its flavors of fresh walnut with lovely spicy and menthol notes. Served between 12 and 15°C, it pairs perfectly with Jura Comté cheese, foie gras, or chicken with yellow wine and morels.

In a different style, their Macvin is a delightful aperitif wine made by blending 2/3 unfermented grape juice with about 1/3 Jura marc aged for two years in oak barrels. This 100% Chardonnay wine, with its aromas of mirabelle plum, yellow fruits, and floral notes (acacia, linden), can be enjoyed very chilled on its own or mixed with a splash of Crémant. It pairs beautifully with melon and prosciutto, blue cheeses (Roquefort, Bleu), chocolate desserts, or walnut ice cream. To chill the wine without diluting it, Guillaume suggests adding frozen grapes to the glass—a tasty and elegant touch!

As for their red wines, the Côtes du Jura 2016 is a wine made exclusively from Pinot Noir. Thanks to manual destemming (removing the stems to retain only the grape berries and eliminate unpleasant vegetal flavors) and carbonic maceration (fermenting whole berries without crushing to extract maximum primary aromas), this red wine delights with its cassis, cherry, and blueberry aromas, complemented by subtle spicy notes and soft tannins. Perfect with roast beef or white meats, this wine can be cellared for about five years.

If you're traveling through the Jura wine region, make sure to stop by Domaine de Lahaye! Guillaume will be delighted to welcome you and share his wines with you.