Yann Bertrand

History of Domaine Les Bertrand and Yann Bertrand

The history of Domaine Les Bertrand begins in the 1950s with Louis Bertrand, who settled in Charentay in the Beaujolais. A true commercial spirit at heart, Louis gradually developed direct sales of his wines to bistros in Lyon and Paris from 1960 onwards. In 1972, Louis, his wife Renée and their son Guy took over the Château de Grand-Pré estate in Fleurie, bringing it up to standard (winery, buildings). In 1992, Guy and Annick took over and, mindful of environmental respect, abandoned herbicides and pesticides in vine cultivation, laying the foundations for what would become an official organic conversion.

Yann, the third generation, grew up on the estate and became naturally involved in it. In 2013, he officially took over the reins and drove a new dynamic: biodynamic philosophy, zero sulphur, natural winemaking in the spirit of Jules Chauvet. He forged friendships with the region's young natural winemakers (Pierre Cotton, Antoine Sunier, Jules Métras) and became part of their community. In 2016, after three years of very significant weather damage (2014 and 2015 saw small harvests, 2016 brought catastrophic hail causing 80–100% losses), Yann created a small négociant structure to offer Juliénas, Saint-Amour (2017) and other wines from winegrower friends in organic conversion, following the same philosophy as the estate. His son Emile, whose birth inspired the name of an exclusive wine, will one day represent the fourth generation.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Les Bertrand

The Bertrand vineyard covers 7.5 hectares, entirely on the Château de Grand-Pré estate in Fleurie, with a "thin strip" of vines that cross the boundary into the Morgon appellation, giving rise to the exclusive Morgon wines. The vines, planted between 1950 and 1980, are therefore between 45 and 75 years old. The soils are granitic sand, that coarse, poor sand derived from the erosion of Fleurie's pink granite, which encourages the natural concentration of the grapes and gives the wines their characteristic mineral finesse and freshness. Certain plots are identified as specific named sites: Grand-Pré (the estate's reference terroir), the plots of the Cuvée du Chaos (two old-vine plots converted to biodynamics in 2012, the first on the estate), and the 1.2-hectare plot of Coup d'Folie (a particularly poor and acidic granitic sand soil). The vines are trained as gobelet to respect the sap flow. The soils are lightly ploughed and a cover crop is maintained between the rows. Yields are kept between 30 and 40 hl/ha.

Winemaking at Domaine Les Bertrand

Yann Bertrand vinifies without any oenological inputs: no sulphur during winemaking or ageing, indigenous yeasts only, no chaptalization. The grapes are whole-cluster vatted, without pumping, for a semi-carbonic maceration at low temperature for 10 to 20 days depending on the wine. No pump-overs or pigeages during maceration, except for a few very gentle pigeages toward the end depending on the wine. Pressing is carried out gently. Ageing varies according to the wine: in vats for the lighter wines (Oh!), or in old barrels and demi-muids (a minimum of 5 to 10 wines) for the more ambitious cuvées. The Cuvée du Chaos is aged entirely under wood (a blend of demi-muids and barrels). The Coup de Foudre is aged 80% in barrels and 20% in demi-muids for 7 to 8 months, then rests a further 10 months in bottle before release. No filtration, no fining, no sulphur at bottling.

The wines of Domaine Les Bertrand and Yann Bertrand

Beaujolais Oh!: An entry-level, immediately enjoyable red wine from vines aged 5 to 50 years on granitic sand soils. Cold semi-carbonic maceration for 10–17 days, without added sulphur or yeasts. Aged one third in old barrels and two thirds in vats for 6 to 7 months. "The pure expression of Gamay." The estate's easy-drinking, convivial wine, to be enjoyed from the moment it is opened. Also produced in Jeroboam.

Fleurie Mon P'tit Chéri: An introductory red wine to the estate's Fleurie universe, in a fresh and fruity style, immediately approachable. Cold carbonic maceration, aged in vats. Aromas of cherry, raspberry and flowers, a light and silky palate.

Fleurie Coup d'Folie: A single-vineyard red wine from a single 1.2-hectare plot of Gamay on poor, acidic granitic sand. Semi-carbonic maceration without pumping or pump-overs, aged partly in barrels (the oldest on the estate, at least 10 wines) and partly in vats. Bottled without filtration in May. "Totally liberated, even decadent fruit, a more complex dimension, great drinkability thanks to the very fine and silky tannins, a fresh and juicy balance." The estate's most beloved wine for its balance between fruit and complexity.

Fleurie Cuvée du Chaos: A red wine sourced from a blend of two old-vine Gamay plots in Fleurie, the first to be converted to biodynamics in 2012. Poor, sandy and free-draining soils. Aged entirely under wood (a blend of demi-muids and used barrels, minimum 5 wines). "More concentrated and spiced, with an ageing potential of a good ten years." Aromas of well-ripened cherry, spiced notes, a subtle touch of oak. Superb texture: fine and silky tannins. "It's complete, it's clean, it's just really great." Aged longer than the other wines.

Fleurie Chaos Suprême Olivia: A highly exclusive single-vineyard cuvée from Fleurie, produced only in the greatest vintages. In the tradition of the Cuvée du Chaos but with an even more concentrated and profound expression. Reserved for collectors' cellars.

Fleurie Coup de Foudre: A prestigious red wine from vines over 60 years old on granitic sand soils in Fleurie. Cold carbonic maceration without pumping or pump-overs. Aged 80% in barrels and 20% in demi-muids for 7 to 8 months, then 10 months in bottle before release. "A wine that deserves to be cellared for a few years to become even more profound." The longest-ageing wine in the Fleurie range.

Fleurie Vieilles Vignes: A red wine from the estate's oldest Fleurie vines, over 60 years old. Longer ageing in old barrels, then kept an additional year in bottle before release. A deep and complex expression of old vines on Fleurie granite.

Fleurie Alice / Cuvée Emile: Exclusive wines produced only in the greatest vintages, bearing the names of Yann Bertrand's children. The Cuvée Emile, sourced from the estate's oldest vines, is produced only in exceptional vintages, with the same winemaking as the Fleurie Vieilles Vignes, but aged even longer. Two collector's wines for devoted fans of the estate.

Morgon Biodynamite (or Coup de Canon): An exclusive red wine from Morgon, sourced from estate vines that quietly cross the boundary into the Morgon appellation. "The label says Morgon, but the soul is definitively in Fleurie." A red wine of depth and minerality characteristic of Morgon, yet with the lightness and elegance of Fleurie.

Morgon Dynamite / Morgon Iron: Morgon wines, of which Morgon Iron is the current version. Sourced from the same vines on the Fleurie-Morgon boundary, in the same natural, additive-free style. A red wine of great depth, expressing all the complexity of the Morgon terroir.

Saint-Amour Bambins (Négoce): A négociant wine made from organic grapes purchased in Saint-Amour from fellow winegrower friends. Vinified with the same philosophy as the estate's own wines. "Named after 'les bambins', the word for young children, as the cuvée is meant to be drunk young." A fruity and light red wine with aromas typical of Saint-Amour. Produced since 2016 following weather damage.

Juliénas (Négoce): A négociant wine made from organic grapes purchased in Juliénas from fellow winegrower friends. In the same natural philosophy as the entire range. An expressive red wine from Juliénas, faithful to the appellation.