Yann Bertrand

History of Domaine Les Bertrand and Yann Bertrand

The story of Domaine Les Bertrand begins in the 1950s with Louis Bertrand, who settles in Charentay in Beaujolais. A born salesman, Louis gradually begins selling his wines directly to bistros in Lyon and Paris in 1960. In 1972, Louis, his wife Renée and their son Guy take over Domaine du Château de Grand-Pré in Fleurie, upgrading its winery and buildings. Guy and Annick take over in 1992. Committed to protecting the environment, they stop using herbicides and pesticides in the vineyard, laying the groundwork for its eventual official conversion to organic farming.

Yann, the third generation, grows up on the estate and naturally becomes involved in its work. In 2013, he officially takes the reins and brings new momentum: a biodynamic philosophy, no sulfur and natural winemaking in the spirit of Jules Chauvet. He befriends the region’s young natural winemakers (Pierre Cotton, Antoine Sunier and Jules Métras) and becomes part of their community. In 2016, after three years of severe weather-related damage (small harvests in 2014 and 2015, followed by catastrophic hail damage of 80–100% in 2016), Yann establishes a small merchant-wine operation to offer Juliénas, Saint-Amour (2017) and other cuvées from winemaker friends converting to organic farming, all in keeping with the estate’s philosophy. His son Emile, whose birth inspired the name of a limited-production cuvée, will one day represent the fourth generation.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Les Bertrand

The Bertrand vineyard covers 7.5 hectares, entirely within Domaine du Château de Grand-Pré in Fleurie, apart from a "thin strip" of vines that crosses the border into the Morgon appellation and yields the limited-production Morgon cuvées. Planted between 1950 and 1980, the vines are now 45 to 75 years old. The soils are weathered granite: coarse, nutrient-poor sand formed by the erosion of Fleurie’s pink granite. They encourage natural concentration in the grapes and give the wines their characteristic mineral finesse and freshness. Certain parcels are identified by specific place names: Grand-Pré (the estate’s benchmark terroir), the Chaos Cuvée parcels (two old-vine parcels converted to biodynamic farming in 2012, the estate’s first) and the 1.2-hectare Touch of Madness parcel (particularly poor, acidic weathered granite soil). The vines are goblet-pruned to respect sap flow. The soils are lightly tilled, and ground cover is maintained between the rows. Yields are kept between 30 and 40 hl/ha.

Winemaking at Domaine Les Bertrand

Yann Bertrand vinifies without any winemaking additives: no sulfur during fermentation or aging, only native yeasts and no chaptalization. Whole grape clusters are placed in tanks without pumping for low-temperature semi-carbonic maceration lasting 10 to 20 days, depending on the cuvée. There are no pump-overs or punch-downs during maceration, apart from a few very gentle punch-downs toward the end for certain cuvées. Pressing is gentle. Aging varies by cuvée: in tanks for lighter wines (Oh!), or in old barrels and large oak casks (used for at least 5 to 10 wines) for the more ambitious cuvées. The Chaos Cuvée is aged entirely in oak, in a mix of large casks and barrels. Love at First Sight is aged for 7 to 8 months, 80% in barrels and 20% in large oak casks, then rests in bottle for another 10 months before release. No filtration, no fining and no sulfur added at bottling.

The cuvées of Domaine Les Bertrand and Yann Bertrand

Beaujolais Oh!: An entry-level red cuvée made for immediate enjoyment, from vines aged 5 to 50 years on weathered granite soils. Cold semi-carbonic maceration for 10–17 days, with no added sulfur or yeast. Aged for 6 to 7 months, one-third in old barrels and two-thirds in tanks. "The pure expression of Gamay." The estate’s easy-drinking, convivial cuvée, ready to enjoy as soon as it is opened. Also produced in Jeroboam bottles.

Fleurie My Little Darling: An approachable red cuvée that offers an introduction to the estate’s Fleurie wines, with a fresh, fruity style. Cold carbonic maceration and aging in tanks. Aromas of cherry, raspberry and flowers, with a light, silky palate.

Fleurie Touch of Madness: A single-parcel red cuvée from a 1.2-hectare plot of Gamay on poor, acidic weathered granite soils. Semi-carbonic maceration without pumping or pump-overs; aged partly in barrels (the estate’s oldest, used for at least 10 wines) and partly in tanks. Bottled without filtration in May. "Exuberant, even decadent fruit, greater complexity and remarkable drinkability thanks to very fine, silky tannins and a fresh, juicy balance." The estate’s most beloved cuvée for its balance of fruit and complexity.

Fleurie Chaos Cuvée: A red cuvée blending fruit from two parcels of old Gamay vines in Fleurie, the estate’s first to be converted to biodynamic farming in 2012. Poor, free-draining sandy soil. Aged entirely in oak (a mix of large oak casks and used barrels, each used for at least five wines). "More concentrated and spicy, with aging potential of a good ten years." Aromas of ripe cherry, spicy notes and a subtle touch of oak. Superb texture, with fine, silky tannins. "It’s complete, it’s precise, it’s simply delicious." Aged longer than the other cuvées.

Fleurie Supreme Chaos Olivia: An exceptional, limited-production single-parcel Fleurie cuvée made in outstanding vintages. In the same vein as the Chaos Cuvée, but with an even more concentrated, profound expression. Reserved for collectors’ cellars.

Fleurie Love at First Sight: A prestigious red cuvée from vines over 60 years old, grown on weathered granite soils in Fleurie. Cold carbonic maceration without pumping or pump-overs. Aged for 7 to 8 months, 80% in barrels and 20% in large oak casks, then held in bottle for 10 months before release. "A wine worth cellaring for a few years to develop even greater depth." The Fleurie cuvée with the longest aging potential in the range.

Fleurie Old Vines: A red cuvée from the estate’s oldest Fleurie vines, which are over 60 years old. Aged longer in old barrels, then held in bottle for an additional year before release. A deep, complex expression of old vines grown on Fleurie granite.

Fleurie Alice / Emile Cuvée: Limited-production cuvées made in outstanding vintages and named after Yann Bertrand’s children. The Emile Cuvée, from the estate’s oldest vines, is made only in exceptional vintages. It is vinified in the same way as Fleurie Old Vines but held for even longer. Two collectible cuvées for admirers of the estate.

Morgon Biodynamite (or Cannon Shot): A limited-production Morgon red cuvée from estate vines that extend just across the border into the Morgon appellation. "The label says Morgon, but its soul is unmistakably Fleurie." A red wine with the depth and minerality characteristic of Morgon, alongside the lightness and elegance of Fleurie.

Morgon Dynamite / Morgon Iron: Morgon cuvées, with Morgon Iron as the current version. Made from the same vines on the Fleurie–Morgon border, in the same natural style and without additives. A red wine of great depth that expresses the full complexity of the Morgon terroir.

Saint-Amour Bambins (Merchant Wine): A merchant-wine cuvée made from organic grapes purchased from winemaker friends in Saint-Amour. Vinified according to the same philosophy as the estate’s cuvées. "Named after “les bambins,” the French word for young children, because the cuvée is meant to be enjoyed young." A light, fruity red wine with aromas typical of Saint-Amour. Produced since 2016, following weather-related damage.

Juliénas (Merchant Wine): A merchant-wine cuvée made from organic grapes purchased from winemaker friends in Juliénas. Made in the same natural spirit as the rest of the range. An expressive Juliénas red that is true to its appellation.