La Tournelle

History of Domaine de la Tournelle

Domaine de la Tournelle was established in the early 1990s in Arbois, the historic capital of the wines of the Jura. It was founded by Evelyne and Pascal Clairet, two passionate individuals who decided to breathe new life into a family wine-growing heritage that had been lying dormant. Their ambition was clear from the outset: to produce wines that are profound, free and faithful to the identity of the Jura.

Early on, the estate moved towards a clean and committed form of viticulture, banning chemical inputs and favouring manual work in the vines. Over the years, Domaine de la Tournelle became one of the key players in the Jura revival, alongside other references of the Arbois appellation. The cuvées, produced in small quantities, quickly gained national and international recognition.

Today, the estate continues to cultivate a demanding artisanal spirit, founded on respect for the terroirs and a minimally interventionist approach to winemaking. This philosophy makes it an essential address for any enthusiast wishing to make an authentic wine purchase from a reference producer.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine de la Tournelle

The vineyard of Domaine de la Tournelle extends over some ten hectares spread around Arbois, on terroirs of great geological diversity. The vines take root in soils of blue marls, limestone and clay, typical of the Jura, which lend the wines their mineral signature and their aromatic complexity.

The region's emblematic grape varieties are carefully worked:

• Chardonnay and Savagnin for the white wines,
• Pinot Noir, Trousseau and Poulsard for the red wines.

The vineyard is managed according to the principles of organic farming, with regular soil work, controlled yields and constant attention to biodiversity. Each plot is considered as a fully-fledged micro-territory in its own right, allowing the estate to offer single-parcel cuvées of great precision, true grands crus of the Jura.

This exacting standard in the vines forms the indispensable foundation for the production of wines of great purity, sought after by lovers of singular bottles and rare wines.

Vinifications of Domaine de la Tournelle

In the cellar, the philosophy is simple: let the grapes do the work. Harvests are done by hand and vinifications are carried out exclusively with indigenous yeasts, without oenological additives. Interventions are kept to a strict minimum in order to preserve the integrity of the fruit and the expression of the terroir.

White wines can be aged in two different ways depending on the cuvée:

• in an ouillé style, to preserve freshness and tension,
• or in veil ageing, in the great Jura tradition.

The red wines, for their part, are vinified gently, with delicate extractions and ageing that respects the material. The estate favours natural fermentations and very limited doses of sulphur, clearly placing its wines in the world of true natural wines.

This approach gives birth to living, vibrant wines, often ready to drink from an early age but also capable of evolving admirably in the cellar, perfect for building a collection of old vintages.

The cuvées of Domaine de la Tournelle

Fleur de Savagnin

The estate's flagship white wine cuvée, crafted from Savagnin aged under a veil. It offers typical aromas of walnut, spices and curry, with a powerful and saline palate. An essential wine for discovering the traditional Jura style.

Terres de Gryphées

A ouillé Chardonnay of great finesse, marked by freshness and minerality. Its taut and elegant profile makes it a highly appreciated table wine and an excellent ready-to-drink wine.

Arbois Trousseau

The estate's flagship red wine cuvée, this Trousseau expresses notes of crunchy red fruits, spices and a fine tannic structure. A wine of character, ideal for lovers of digestible and authentic reds.

Arbois Poulsard

Light and delicate, this Poulsard reveals a pale colour and a subtle bouquet of fresh fruit. Perfect for those seeking a fine and airy red, typical of the Jura.

Arbois Pinot Noir

More structured, this Pinot Noir combines elegance and depth. Its silky tannins and vibrant fruit make it a gastronomic cuvée.

Vin Jaune

A true jewel of the estate, the Vin Jaune is crafted from Savagnin after a long ageing under a veil. It is one of the greatest wines of the Jura, built for cellaring and sought after by collectors of old vintages.

Macvin du Jura

The estate also offers a Macvin, a traditional liqueur wine, perfect as an aperitif or with dessert.

Depending on availability, certain cuvées are offered in magnums and large formats, ideal for cellaring or special occasions.

Food and wine pairings

The wines of Domaine de la Tournelle offer a remarkable diversity of gastronomic pairings. The ouillé white wines such as Terres de Gryphées accompany grilled fish, creamy poultry dishes or goat's cheeses wonderfully.

The veil-aged cuvées, notably Fleur de Savagnin or the celebrated Vin Jaune, pair ideally with a mature comté, a chicken with morels or a dish with spiced flavours.

On the red side, Trousseau and Poulsard complement fine charcuterie, white meats or bistronomic cuisine beautifully. The Pinot Noir, more structured, pairs perfectly with a duck breast or a cooked-rind cheese.

This versatility makes the wines of La Tournelle the perfect companions for all tables and all seasons.

Conclusion

Domaine de la Tournelle represents the living soul of the Jura vineyard. Through its respect for the terroirs, its exacting standards in the vines and its artisanal vision of winemaking, it produces wines that are unique, profound and sincere. Whether one is seeking a mineral white wine, an elegant red wine or a great Vin Jaune for ageing, the estate's cuvées constitute absolute references for lovers of authentic wines.

By choosing Vins et Millesimes for your online wine purchase, you gain access to a rigorous selection of the finest cuvées from Domaine de la Tournelle, available with complete confidence. The site allows you to discover rare wines, old vintages, bottles in magnums and large formats, as well as wines on promotion and new arrivals regularly featured. Thanks to attractive offers, tiered pricing and direct estate sourcing, Vins et Millesimes stands as an essential destination for enriching your cellar with great wines and enjoying a reliable purchasing experience for true enthusiasts.