Jérôme Bretaudeau

The Story of Jérôme Bretaudeau - Domaine de Bellevue

The story of Domaine de Bellevue is one of passionate renewal. In the early 1990s, after studying viticulture at the Lycée de Briacé in Le Landreau, Jérôme Bretaudeau joined Alain Gaubert’s team in Vallet as vineyard manager of a conventional 25-hectare estate. Over thirteen years, he gained extensive experience, learning the intricacies of grape growing and winemaking. In 2001, he took over his father’s two family hectares in Gétigné, a commune with a long winegrowing history where vines had almost disappeared after being neglected in the 1980s and 1990s. The only winemaker in the commune, Jérôme was undeterred: he gradually expanded his holdings by buying abandoned parcels. In 2005, he established himself permanently on six hectares, marking the official founding of Domaine de Bellevue. Today, with a team of seven dedicated colleagues and a recent partnership with the Champagne house Billecart-Salmon (a minority shareholder since 2023), the estate spans around 20 hectares and received the title of Winemaker of the Year in 2025. A member of the Académie du vin de France since 2023, Jérôme Bretaudeau is a driving force behind Muscadet’s revival.

The Terroirs and Vines of Jérôme Bretaudeau - Domaine de Bellevue

Domaine de Bellevue draws its strength from exceptional terroirs spread across five key Muscadet communes: Gétigné (where Jérôme is the only winemaker), Cugand (in Vendée, on the other side of the Sèvre Nantaise), Clisson, Vallet, and Gorges. These varied soils—pink and white granite, quartz, volcanic gabbro (a black igneous rock similar to basalt), and clay-rich schist—enjoy a cool oceanic microclimate conducive to mineral, savory wines. Across these 15 hectares (10 planted to white grapes and 5 to red), Melon de Bourgogne dominates (90% of the vineyard), but Jérôme also boldly grows less common varieties: 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 15 to 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 according to vine age and soil type, plants cover crops to enrich the soil, and installs innovative frost-protection systems, carefully observing lunar cycles to farm in harmony with nature.

The Winemaking of Jérôme Bretaudeau - Domaine de Bellevue

Winemaking at Domaine de Bellevue is a laboratory for creative experimentation, guided by Jérôme Bretaudeau’s intuition to bring out the best in each terroir. All fermentations use native yeasts, without additives or filtration, and often include malolactic fermentation to soften the wines. Jérôme favors extended maceration for the reds (infusion or co-maceration) and long aging on the lees to develop complexity and finesse. His approach includes stainless steel tanks for freshness, large oak casks and Burgundian barrels for subtle oxygenation, egg-shaped concrete vessels for a silky texture, terracotta amphorae for pure minerality, and even buried tanks or a solera system for dynamic blends. Applied with precision, these techniques turn Melon de Bourgogne into vibrant wines and elevate unusual grape varieties to a gastronomic level.

The Cuvées of Jérôme Bretaudeau - Domaine de Bellevue

The cuvées of Domaine de Bellevue captivate with their diversity and expression of terroir, 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 grown on pink and white granite and quartz in Clisson (vines from the 1980s), fermented in stainless steel with native yeasts and aged for 18–24 months on the lees in concrete eggs. A focused, concentrated wine with saline and fruity notes and a silky, refined texture.

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

Gabbro Clos des Bouquinardières: A new cuvée introduced in 2018, made from 100% Melon grown on gabbro in Gorges/Clisson (vines undergoing organic conversion), aged for 10–24 months on the lees in buried stainless steel and concrete tanks, with a light addition of sulfur. Crystal-clear and energetic, with citrus and white-fruit aromas; precise yet full-bodied.

For the unconventional whites:

La Justice (Val de Loire): A blend of 70–80% Chardonnay and 20–30% Savagnin grown on granite and quartz (0.5 ha, vines from the 1980s), aged for 14 months in large oak casks, amphorae, or egg-shaped vessels. Floral aromas and juicy pear on the nose; a full, precise, mineral palate with an iodine-tinged, mouthwatering finish. A truly unconventional wine.

Pinot Gris Macération: From 0.5 ha of 15-year-old vines on granite and quartz, destemmed and macerated for 3–8 days in concrete, naturally fermented, then aged for 12 months in a large oak cask and amphora. Floral intensity balanced by light tannins; ideal as an aperitif or with cheese and Asian cuisine.

For the reds:

Statera Pinot Noir (Vin de France): From 0.5 ha planted in 2005 on granite and quartz, fermented as whole clusters with native yeasts and aged for 10 months in older barrels. A harmonious bouquet of red fruit and flowers (rose, peony), a velvety palate with silky tannins, and a juicy finish, with finesse comparable to great Burgundian wines.

Ornaté Merlot (Vin de France): From 0.5 ha on granite slopes (planted in the early 2000s), 100% destemmed and infused for 12 days, then aged for 18 months in Burgundian barrels. Fresh, juicy, and silky, with ripe fruit and spice; remarkably easy to drink.

V Sens Rouge (Vin de France): A blend of 70% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot (1.5 ha, 15–20-year-old vines, massal selection) grown on south/southeast-facing quartz-rich granite, with 50% whole clusters in alternating layers, naturally fermented and aged for 12 months in large oak casks on the lees. Surprisingly ripe fruit, smooth tannins, and a finesse rare in the Nantes region.

Other cuvées, including a solera Chardonnay and a Gamay, round out the range.

Domaine de Bellevue and its driving force, Jérôme Bretaudeau, are restoring Muscadet’s prestige, proving that Loire wines can rival France’s greatest crus. In their constant pursuit of balance between fruit, minerality, and elegance, these biodynamic cuvées invite you to discover an underrated terroir brimming with potential. Looking to buy a bottle of Jérôme Bretaudeau wine from Domaine de Bellevue? Explore our selection of the estate’s wines, along with wines from 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, and more. Bottles, magnums… With Vins et Millésimes, buying wine online has never been easier! Always 100% in stock, with fast shipping and the best prices!