Jérôme Bretaudeau

The Story of Jérôme Bretaudeau - Domaine de Bellevue

The story of Domaine de Bellevue is one of passionate renaissance. In the early 1990s, after studying viticulture at the Lycée de Briacé in Le Landreau, Jérôme Bretaudeau joined the team of Alain Gaubert in Vallet as head of cultivation on a conventional 25-hectare estate. He gained solid experience there over thirteen years, learning the intricacies of vine-growing and winemaking. In 2001, he took over the two family hectares inherited from his father in Gétigné, a historically wine-growing commune that had been neglected in the 1980s and 90s, where vines had almost disappeared. As the sole winegrower in the commune, Jérôme did not lose heart: he gradually expanded his estate by acquiring abandoned plots. In 2005, he settled permanently on six hectares, marking the official birth of Domaine de Bellevue. Today, with a team of seven passionate collaborators and a recent partnership with the maison de Champagne Billecart-Salmon (minority shareholder since 2023), the estate spans around twenty hectares and was awarded the title of Winemaker of the Year in 2025. Jérôme Bretaudeau, a member of the Académie du vin de France since 2023, embodies the driving force behind a Muscadet appellation in full renaissance.

Terroirs and Vines of Jérôme Bretaudeau - Domaine de Bellevue

Domaine de Bellevue draws its strength from exceptional terroirs spread across five key communes of Muscadet: Gétigné (where Jérôme is the sole winegrower), Cugand (in the Vendée, on the other side of the Sèvre Nantaise), Clisson, Vallet and Gorges. These diverse soils — pink and white granite, quartz, volcanic gabbro (a black magmatic rock similar to basalt) and clay-schist — offer a cool oceanic microclimate, conducive to mineral and sapid wines. Across these 15 hectares (10 in whites and 5 in reds), Melon de Bourgogne dominates (90% of the vineyard), but Jérôme boldly cultivates rare grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Savagnin from the Jura, Pinot Gris, Folle Blanche and Sauvignon Gris for whites, and Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Gamay for reds. The vines, aged between 15 and 50 years, have been farmed biodynamically since 2016 (Ecocert organic certification in 2012, Biodyvin in 2020), with massal selection to preserve genetic diversity. Jérôme harvests by vine age and soil type, planting cover crops to enrich the soils and installing innovative frost protection systems, scrupulously respecting lunar cycles for a viticulture in harmony with nature.

Winemaking by Jérôme Bretaudeau - Domaine de Bellevue

Winemaking at Domaine de Bellevue is a laboratory of creative experimentation, guided by Jérôme Bretaudeau's intuition to extract the best from each terroir. All fermentations are carried out with indigenous yeasts, without additives or filtration, and often include a malolactic fermentation to soften the wines. Jérôme favours extended macerations for reds (infusion or co-maceration), and long lees ageing to develop complexity and finesse. His cellar includes stainless steel tanks for freshness, large casks and Burgundian barrels for subtle oxygenation, ovoid concrete eggs for a silky texture, terracotta amphorae for pure minerality, and even buried tanks or a solera system for dynamic blending. These techniques, applied with precision, transform the Melon de Bourgogne into vibrant wines and elevate atypical grape varieties to a gastronomic level.

The cuvées of Jérôme Bretaudeau - Domaine de Bellevue

The cuvées of Domaine de Bellevue captivate through their diversity and terroir expression, combining oceanic freshness with mineral depth.

For the Muscadets:

Granit Clos des Perrières (Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine): From 2.5 ha of Melon de Bourgogne on granite and pink/white quartz in Clisson (vines from the 1980s), fermented in stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts and aged 18–24 months on lees in concrete eggs. A linear and concentrated wine, with saline and fruity notes, of a silky and refined texture.

Gaïa Cuvée Ovoïde: From 1.5 ha of old vines (1960s) on gabbro in Gétigné, direct-pressed and naturally fermented, then aged 18–24 months in concrete eggs. Dense volume, fruit-driven maturity balanced by taut minerality, for a modern and easy-drinking Muscadet.

Gabbro Clos des Bouquinardières: A new cuvée since 2018, 100% Melon on gabbro in Gorges/Clisson (vines under organic conversion), matured 10–24 months on lees in buried stainless steel and concrete tanks, with light sulphuring. Crystalline and energetic, with aromas of citrus and white fruits, chiselled and broad.

For the atypical whites:

La Justice (Val de Loire): A blend of 70–80% Chardonnay and 20–30% Savagnin on granite and quartz (0.5 ha, vines from the 1980s), aged 14 months in large casks, amphorae or ovoid tanks. Floral nose with juicy pear, a broad and precise palate, mineral with an iodine-tinged and salivating finish — a truly out-of-the-ordinary wine.

Pinot Gris Macération: From 0.5 ha on granite and quartz (15 years old), destemmed and macerated 3–8 days in concrete, naturally fermented then aged 12 months in large cask and amphora. Floral intensity balanced by light tannins, ideal as an aperitif or with cheeses and Asian cuisine.

For the reds:

Statera Pinot Noir (Vin de France): 0.5 ha planted in 2005 on granite and quartz, fermented as whole bunches with indigenous yeasts, aged 10 months in old barrels. A harmonious bouquet of red fruits and flowers (rose, peony), a velvety palate with silky tannins and a juicy finish — a finesse comparable to the great Burgundians.

Ornaté Merlot (Vin de France): 0.5 ha on granite slopes (early 2000s), 100% destemmed with a 12-day infusion, aged 18 months in Burgundian barrels. Fresh and juicy, silky with ripe fruits and spices, of great drinkability.

V Sens Rouge (Vin de France): A blend of 70% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot (1.5 ha, 15–20 years old, massal selection) on quartzite granite with south/south-east exposure, 50% whole bunches in alternating layers, naturally fermented and aged 12 months in large cask with lees. Surprisingly ripe fruits, smooth tannins and a rare finesse for the Nantais region.

Other cuvées such as a Chardonnay solera or a Gamay complete this range.

The Domaine de Bellevue and its master Jérôme Bretaudeau are restoring the noble reputation of Muscadet, proving that Loire wines can rival the greatest French crus. With a relentless pursuit of balance between fruit, minerality and elegance, these biodynamic cuvées invite you to discover an underestimated yet richly potential terroir. Would you like to purchase a bottle of wine by Jérôme Bretaudeau from Domaine de Bellevue? Discover our selection of wines from the estate as well as other great Loire producers such as Alain Lenoir, Antoine Sanzay, Bernard Baudry, Charles Joguet, Clau de Nell, Foreau, François Cotat, Pascal Cotat, Alphonse Mellot, Vacheron, Clos Rougeard, Coulée de Serrant, Didier Dagueneau, Edmond Vatan, Gérard Boulay, Guiberteau, Huet, Jérôme Bretaudeau, Philippe Alliet, Richard Leroy, Saint Nicolas, Stephane Bernaudeau, Vacheron, etc... Bottle, Magnum…. With Vins et Millésimes, buying wine online has never been easier! Always 100% in stock, with fast shipping and at the best price!