Portraits of winemakers

DOMAINE JACQUES TISSOT: A RANGE OF WINES EMBLEMATIC OF THE RICHNESS OF THE JURA REGION

Meeting Philippe Tissot

From Agricultural Studies to the Family Estate

After studying at the Agricultural High School of Beaune, Philippe joined his father Jacques Tissot at the family estate to learn winemaking methods before branching out to explore other wine regions. His thirst for discovery took him to a winery in the United States, where he stayed for several months.

Domaine Jacques Tissot: A Range of Over 20 Wines

But four years later, the pull of his Jura roots became undeniable. Despite having honed his skills in other vineyards, nothing compares to his native land. Today, he manages Domaine Jacques Tissot alongside his sister Nathalie.

Founded in 1962 by Jacques Tissot—Philippe and Nathalie’s father—the estate now spans 30 hectares of vineyards. A team of 12 people ensures the smooth operation of the estate, a crucial aspect for Philippe, who highly values teamwork.

Domaine Jacques Tissot offers no fewer than twenty products for sale: “We present a very broad range, from sweet wines to sparkling wines, including dry whites made from 100% Chardonnay,” Philippe details.

"Arbois La Mailloche" Cuvée: An Expressive Wine with Mineral Aromas

The pride of Domaine Jacques Tissot ? Its Jura Crémants, white sparkling wines made with direct pressing and fermented in stainless steel tanks. “Crémant is not an easy wine to produce. That’s why we work with the best oenologists in Jura. I think this is the product on which we have evolved the most since we’ve been here,” Philippe analyzes.

The estate also stands out for producing a white wine made from 40-year-old Chardonnay vines. This wine, named “Arbois La Mailloche,” is named after its eponymous terroir that yields wines with mineral aromas. This exceptional cuvée, priced at just €16.30 per bottle, undergoes 100% barrel aging, resulting in a more complex and expressive wine with a beautiful mouthfeel.

"Arbois Savagnin" Cuvée: A Lighter Version of Classic Vin Jaune

But the true star of the Domaine is undoubtedly the Jura Vin Jaune. However, the “Arbois Savagnin” cuvée offers a slightly different take. Vinified in a 228-liter barrel, from Savagnin (the exclusive grape of Vin Jaune), this wine has a maceration time half as long as that of classic Vin Jaune (three years instead of six). “This shorter aging makes it less concentrated, but it still retains its typical walnut and curry aromas. It’s a sort of lighter Vin Jaune, more accessible for consumers who want to experience Vin Jaune,” Philippe explains.

Sustainable Vineyard Practices

Constantly striving for improvement, Philippe and Nathalie are committed to evolving their wines to match consumer tastes: “We aim for wines with more freshness.” This dedication to quality is also reflected in their vineyard management, which follows sustainable viticulture practices.

The winemakers are happy to open their doors to visitors from the region and tourist groups (by appointment only) to taste their wines. Philippe and his sister transform these visits into a true sensory adventure. “Our wines are like diamonds: they have multiple facets. Given the richness of Jura’s wine palette, it’s essential to guide the customer according to their tastes during the tasting. Of course, we also steer them towards paths they might not normally venture onto!”