Bruyere Houillon

History of Domaine Bruyère-Houillon

Adeline Houillon and Renaud Bruyère, united by their love of wine and trained alongside iconic figures of the Jura, created their estate in 2011 in Pupillin, near Arbois. Adeline, sister of Emmanuel Houillon, grew up in the world of wine working alongside her brother and the legendary Pierre Overnoy, a pioneer of Jura natural wines. Renaud, originally from Tain-l'Hermitage, honed his expertise at Stéphane Tissot, another prestigious name in the region. Their meeting at the hotel school of Tain-l'Hermitage marked the beginning of a shared adventure, rooted in a common vision: to produce living wines, without artifice, that fully express the richness of Jura terroirs.

Their first plot, "Les Tourillons", covering 0.7 hectares, was acquired in 2011 thanks to an opportunity offered by Stéphane Tissot. This vineyard, situated at 450 metres altitude, planted with Chardonnay, Savagnin and Trousseau, marked the beginning of their production. Since then, the estate has grown to approximately 4.5 hectares, spread across the Arbois, Pupillin and, until 2020, Montigny-les-Arsures appellations. Despite this expansion, Adeline and Renaud chose to reduce their area to 4 hectares in order to prioritise quality over quantity, a decision guided by their desire to preserve a balance between viticultural work and family life. Today, their wines are sought after the world over, from Michelin-starred restaurants to the cellars of discerning enthusiasts, and fetch sometimes astronomical prices at auction.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Bruyère-Houillon

Domaine Bruyère-Houillon extends across varied terroirs, principally within the Arbois and Arbois-Pupillin appellations, with plots in Pupillin, Arbois and Mesnay. These terroirs, characterised by clay-limestone soils, Triassic and Lias marls, as well as limestone scree, lend the wines a unique minerality and complexity. Here is an overview of the main plots:

Pupillin "En Aspis" (1.7 ha, AOC Arbois-Pupillin): Located at 410 metres altitude with a westerly exposure, this plot rests on iridescent Triassic marls of varied hues. Planted with young vines of Ploussard, Trousseau, Chardonnay and Savagnin, as well as older vines (60 years) of Savagnin and Chardonnay, it produces white wines of great aromatic complexity, often requiring long ageing to reveal their full potential.

Arbois "La Croix Rouge" (1.1 ha, AOC Arbois): At 380 metres altitude, this north-west facing clay-limestone terroir is dedicated to Chardonnay (30 years old). The wines from this plot are distinguished by their accessibility and generous fruitiness, perfect for early drinking.

Arbois "Les Tourillons" (0.7 ha, AOC Arbois): Perched at 450 metres, this vineyard benefits from a light soil of limestone scree over Lias marls. Co-planted primarily with Chardonnay (80%), Savagnin (20%) and a few Trousseau vines, this 50-year-old terroir produces energetic wines, marked by a vibrant salinity and minerality.

Mesnay "Les Nouvelles" (0.5 ha, AOC Arbois): On a steep south-facing slope at 430 metres, this terroir combines limestone clay and limestone scree. Since 2019, only the old vines of Ploussard and Melon à Queue Rouge (65 years old) are farmed, yielding rich and structured wines.

Until 2020, the estate also farmed "En Gaillard" in Montigny-les-Arsures, with soils of marls and limestone scree, planted with Savagnin and Ploussard. This plot was abandoned to refocus efforts on a more manageable area. All the vines are cultivated biodynamically, without certification, with manual harvesting and environmentally respectful practices, reinforcing the authentic expression of the terroir in each cuvée.

Winemaking at Domaine Bruyère-Houillon

At Domaine Bruyère-Houillon, winemaking is a minimalist art, guided by a philosophy of non-intervention. Located beneath their home in Pupillin, the cellar houses ancient vats and used barrels, where wines are crafted without any inputs, from grape to bottle. The grapes are carefully sorted and destemmed by hand using a riddle for the reds, followed by a semi-carbonic maceration of 30 to 60 days. Fermentations, conducted by indigenous yeasts, take place in old barrels for the whites and in stainless steel vats for certain reds, such as the Ploussard. The whites are topped up, meaning the barrels are regularly filled to limit oxidation and preserve freshness.

No fining or filtration is carried out, and sulphur is entirely absent, allowing the wines to retain their living character. The ageing, averaging 12 months, takes place in barrels for the whites and sometimes in vats for the reds. This natural approach, combined with meticulous attention to detail, guarantees wines of exceptional purity, where the terroir expresses itself brilliantly. The low yields (15 to 30 hl/ha depending on the vintage) bear witness to the rigour and commitment of the winemakers in producing high-quality cuvées, ideal for purchasing natural wines.

The Cuvées of Domaine Bruyère-Houillon

Domaine Bruyère-Houillon offers a range of cuvées that capture the essence of Jura terroirs. Here are the main ones for lovers of exceptional wines:

Arbois Blanc "Les Tourillons" 

Co-fermented from Chardonnay (80%) and Savagnin (20%) from the eponymous plot, this topped-up white wine reveals a vibrant energy, with saline and mineral notes. Aged 12 months in old barrels, it captivates with its straightforwardness and lively finish, ideal for lovers of structured white wines.

Arbois Blanc "La Croix Rouge" 

Produced from Chardonnay (30 years old) on a clay-limestone terroir, this topped-up white wine is accessible and fruity, with notes of white fruits and a beautiful acidity. Aged 12 months in barrels, it is perfect for early drinking.

Arbois Blanc "Les Nouvelles" 

This white wine, made from Savagnin and Chardonnay on the Mesnay terroir, offers an ample richness and a dense texture. Aged in demi-muids, it combines aromas of ripe fruits and a pronounced minerality, with a beautiful length on the palate.

Arbois-Pupillin Blanc "En Aspis" 

A blend of Savagnin (70%) and Chardonnay (30%), this cuvée from the En Aspis terroir is marked by a slight oxidative note typical of Savagnin, even when topped up. Aged 12 months, it offers a glorious richness and a crisp acidity.

Arbois-Pupillin Ploussard "En Aspis" 

From the En Aspis plot, this 100% Ploussard red wine is vinified in stainless steel vats after a 30-day semi-carbonic maceration. Unfiltered and sulphur-free, it offers aromas of luscious red fruits, a fluid texture and a slight astringency in youth. Perfect to accompany light dishes or to enjoy young for its freshness.

Trousseau "En Aspis" 

The first Trousseau cuvée (2018), from young vines planted in 2015 on Triassic marls. Vinified without sulphur, with a 30-day maceration, this red wine reveals animal notes and an elegant structure, ideal with game dishes.

Arbois Blanc "Nouvelles-Viaduc" 

Chardonnay (60%) and Savagnin (40%) from 30-year-old vines in Mesnay, this topped-up white wine, aged 12 months, offers majestic complexity, with aromas of white fruits, a lively freshness and a saline touch.

Adeline Houillon and Renaud Bruyère, drawing on their heritage from Pierre Overnoy and Stéphane Tissot, produce cuvées of rare authenticity, prized by connoisseurs the world over. Their commitment to biodynamics and natural winemaking guarantees living, balanced wines that are true to their origins. For enthusiasts wishing to purchase exceptional wines, Domaine Bruyère-Houillon offers a unique opportunity to discover rare cuvées, available at competitive prices. Order now and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Jura natural wines!