Julien Crinquand

History of Domaine Julien Crinquand

The story of Domaine Julien Crinquand is one of a deliberate career change. Born into a Jura family with agricultural roots, Julien Crinquand did not initially plan to become a winemaker. For several years, he worked in another profession, far from his father’s vines. But the pull of his roots eventually drew him back. In 2016, after careful consideration, Julien decided to return to his native Jura to take over the family vines. Their grapes had traditionally been sold to the Fruitière Vinicole d’Arbois, as was customary for many small Jura growers.

To hone his skills, he undertook rigorous training, working alongside Philippe Bornard, a longstanding figure in Jura natural wine, and Fabrice Dodane at Domaine de Saint-Pierre, another leading name of the new generation. These two mentors passed on the values, methods and principles needed to make high-quality natural wines. Julien earned his BTS diploma in viticulture and enology in 2017 and officially launched his own cuvées in 2019 under the “Les Canons du Jean” label, a heartfelt tribute to his grandfather Jean, whose likeness appears on the labels. Praised by enthusiasts and specialist wine merchants from his first vintages, Julien Crinquand is now regarded as one of the most exciting new names to watch in the Jura’s natural-wine scene.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Julien Crinquand

Julien Crinquand’s vineyards cover 5 hectares within the Arbois appellation, inherited from his father and grandfather. The vines are spread across three distinct areas that make up the estate’s patchwork of plots: Les Bodines, with limestone soils emblematic of great Arbois Trousseau; Mailloche; and Verleule. This geological diversity, combined with a continental climate marked by substantial temperature swings, allows Julien to make a varied range of cuvées, each expressing the distinctive character of its terroir.

The plantings include the Jura’s five principal traditional grape varieties, with white grapes in the majority: Chardonnay and Savagnin for the whites—emblematic varieties of Arbois—and Trousseau, Pinot Noir and Poulsard (Ploussard) for the reds. The vineyards are farmed organically, having been converted by his father as early as 2016, without any synthetic chemicals. Harvesting is entirely by hand at full ripeness, with rigorous sorting in the vineyard. Like many young winemakers involved in the Jura’s quality revival, Julien seeks to showcase the terroir while respecting living ecosystems and the surrounding biodiversity.

Winemaking at Domaine Julien Crinquand

In the cellar he has set up beside the family home in Les Arsures, Julien Crinquand takes a resolutely hands-off approach to winemaking, inherited from his mentors Philippe Bornard and Fabrice Dodane. Fermentation begins solely through the indigenous yeasts present on the grapes, with no selected yeasts added. No winemaking additives are used, and most cuvées receive no added sulfur, reflecting a commitment to complete transparency toward both the grapes and the drinker.

Aging is deliberately long, lasting 12 to 36 months depending on the cuvée, and takes place mainly in used demi-muids (stainless steel tanks are also used) to avoid excessive oak influence and encourage natural micro-oxygenation. For the whites, Julien offers both cuvées aged under a layer of yeast (oxidative aging without topping up, in the Jura tradition) and topped-up cuvées (modern aging without that layer). His philosophy is not about “funky” wines: his are precise, fresh and crystalline, with rare purity and finesse, yet remain immediately appealing and exceptionally convivial—an essential quality of Jura wines. It is a recognizable signature that makes Julien Crinquand a winemaker to watch in today’s natural-wine scene in the Jura.

The Cuvées of Domaine Julien Crinquand

La Cuvée du D'Jopin: a signature white AOC Arbois cuvée made entirely from Chardonnay. Natural winemaking with no added sulfur, followed by aging in demi-muids. Pale gold color; an expressive nose of dried fruit, green apple and fresh walnut; and the mineral signature typical of great Jura Chardonnays. A finely crafted palate, perfectly balanced by appealing acidity and freshness. A clean, finely etched cuvée that some enthusiasts consider one of Julien’s finest ever.

Chardo Cuvée Capucine: another single-parcel Chardonnay cuvée, made in the estate’s pure natural style. A denser, more complex expression of the great Burgundian grape grown in Jura soil, with a precise signature.

Le SAV du Jean: a signature Savagnin cuvée from AOC Arbois, aged in barrels under a layer of yeast without topping up, in the great Jura tradition. Made entirely from Savagnin without additives. Golden color; a nose with typical notes of walnut, curry, honey and spice; and a taut, deep palate with a controlled oxidative character. Ideal with strongly flavored cheeses, poultry in a cream sauce, fish with morels or curry dishes.

Le SAV du Jean Cuvée Oxy: a Vin de France version of the Le SAV du Jean cuvée, made entirely from Savagnin aged under a layer of yeast, in the spirit of a “budget Vin Jaune.” A more oxidative, affordable expression that remains faithful to the great Jura tradition.

Savagnin Cuvée Capucine: a single-parcel Savagnin cuvée made with the same rigor as the estate’s other wines. A precise, distinctive expression of this great Jura grape.

Le P'tit Prince: the estate’s signature red cuvée, made entirely from Trousseau grown on the limestone soils of Les Bodines. Made without additives and aged for an extended period in demi-muids. Bright ruby color, an aromatic nose of fresh cherry and raspberry, and a palate with fine tannic structure and vivid fruit. An Arbois Trousseau in the tradition of great names such as Michel Gahier, with remarkable purity and precision.

Le Coup de Plou: a red AOC Arbois cuvée made entirely from Ploussard (Poulsard), an emblematic Jura grape. Made in a thoroughly natural style, without additives or added sulfites. Pale, developed color; a delicate nose of tart red fruit and wild strawberry; and a silky, fluid, thirst-quenching palate with the variety’s characteristic easy-drinking character. An authentic, joyful expression of Arbois Poulsard.

Le Rouge: a red AOC Arbois blend of Pinot Noir and Poulsard, sometimes supplemented with Trousseau depending on the vintage. A wine that favors freshness and vibrant fruit. Ruby color; an expressive nose of cherry and raspberry with a smoky touch; and a fluid, inviting palate with the estate’s characteristic easy-drinking style. A festive, approachable wine.

Cuvée Capucine: a single-parcel cuvée honoring Capucine, made as a white (Chardonnay or Savagnin) or a red depending on the vintage. Made in the house’s pure style, without additives. A precise, distinctive cuvée that carries Julien Crinquand’s family story forward under the “Les Canons du Jean” label.