Corentin Houillon

History of Domaine Corentin Houillon

The story of Corentin Houillon begins well before his own establishment, in his family's native Jura. Grandson of Anna Houillon, who used to take him on holiday to Pupillin to visit Pierre Overnoy, Corentin trod the 1991 Ploussard by foot from a very young age, initiated into tasting during the 1993 harvest by his uncles and aunt: Manu Houillon (Overnoy's partner), Aurélien Houillon (established in the Vaucluse) and Adeline Houillon (married to Renaud Bruyère in Arbois). This family immersion in natural wine forged his vocation, which he chose over the expectations of an engineering career.

After a BTS in Viticulture and Oenology in Beaune and Montpellier, Corentin forged an exceptional career path: Dominique Derain in Burgundy, Stéphane Tissot in the Jura, several wineries in New Zealand. From 2015 to 2018, he became head of viticulture at the Domaine de la Ville de Morges in Switzerland, where he converted the vineyard to biodynamics and created several emblematic natural cuvées (P982, 902, 900, 976 and Méthode Ancestrale). Seeking his own project, he prospected 12 different regions before meeting Alain Bosson at the Domaine de Veronnet in Serrières-en-Chautagne. There he took over 5 of the domain's 10 hectares in 2019 (the remainder going to Florian and Marie Curtet), and signed his first Savoyard vintage.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Corentin Houillon

Corentin Houillon's vineyard extends over 5.06 hectares in a single block, on steep south-facing slopes at the heart of the Chautagne, a small Jurassian valley situated between the Grand Colombier to the west and the Gros Foug to the east, on the banks of the Rhône, close to the Lac du Bourget. Surrounded by forest, with no neighboring vines whatsoever, the estate benefits from an exceptional microclimate combining Alpine and continental influences. The soils are composed of glacial molasse, blending Jurassic limestone sandstone and quartz sands, a legacy of the last glaciations, conferring upon the wines a unique mineral signature and a characteristic "Savoyard glacial trait".

The vineyard is planted equally between whites and reds, with five grape varieties emblematic of Savoie: Altesse (1.50 ha), Jacquère (1.06 ha), Pinot Noir (75 ares), Gamay (1.10 ha) and Mondeuse (65 ares). Vineyard management is strictly organic (certified AB) and biodynamic, following the principles of Rudolf Steiner and the use of preparations 500 and 508. No mechanical soil work, permanent grass cover between the rows, cover crops sown under the vines, gentle pruning, treatments limited to copper, compost teas and plant ferments. A zero-input, zero-chemical approach, where biodiversity (flowers, insects, plants) coexists in harmony with the vines.

Vinifications at Domaine Corentin Houillon

In the cellar, located at the foot of the vines themselves, Corentin Houillon practices a resolutely natural vinification, without any oenological additives. The harvests are entirely manual, followed by gentle pneumatic pressing. Vinifications take place in concrete and steel tanks (destemmed or not, with or without inert gas depending on the cuvée), with alcoholic and malolactic fermentations conducted solely by the indigenous yeasts naturally present on the berries. No sulfur addition, no oenological inputs: fermentation is considered the key process for revealing the authenticity of the terroir.

Aging takes place in old barrels and demi-muids for certain cuvées, sometimes in stoneware jars or old foudres, giving the wines time and oxygen. Temperatures are rigorously controlled. Bottling is carried out by Corentin himself, without added sulfur, without fining or filtration, with vacuum corking using natural unmarked corks washed with steam. Recycled paper labels, eco-responsible cartons: the approach is consistent down to the smallest detail, yielding pure, vibrant and emotional wines.

The Cuvées of Domaine Corentin Houillon

The Veronnet Rouge cuvée is the estate's emblematic signature, paying tribute to the historic lieu-dit. A classic blend of the Cru Chautagne, it combines approximately 65% Gamay (including Chaudenay teinturier Gamay), 20% Mondeuse and 15% Pinot Noir. Co-fermentation, 40% whole cluster, two-week maceration, aging in tank. Bright ruby robe, a tonic, lively, juicy palate of crunchy red fruit (cherry), with a spiced and peppery finish. Light (10 to 12% alcohol), easy-drinking and mouth-watering.

The Veronnet Blanc cuvée is the estate's other founding cuvée, crafted from a blend of Altesse and Jacquère grown biodynamically on molasse and scree terroirs. Vinification in concrete tanks on fine lees, without added sulfur or filtration. Fresh nose of citrus, white flowers and roasted almond notes, balanced, structured palate that is both fine and long, perfect with fish and cheeses.

The Force de Nature cuvée is crafted from pure Altesse, the king grape variety of white Vins de Savoie. Extended vinification and aging allow the full depth of the grape variety to express itself, with a dense palate, notes of yellow fruits, honey, almond and white flowers, complemented by a smoky and mineral signature typical of glacial molasse terroirs.

The Cosmos cuvée puts the spotlight on Mondeuse, the emblematic Alpine red grape variety sometimes compared to the Syrah of the northern Côtes du Rhône. Vinified as a single-vineyard cuvée with meticulous work and adapted aging, it yields a structured and deep red marked by dark fruits, pepper, spices and the complex Alpine notes characteristic of the grape variety.

The Montée Furieuse cuvée is a single-vineyard cuvée of pure Jacquère planted on the steepest slopes of the estate, on quartz-rich soils. Vinification and aging entirely in demi-muids with no additions whatsoever, on full lees to gain texture and aromatics. Bottled without filtration or sulfur. Pale robe, mineral nose, crystalline palate with notes of white fruits, fennel and anise, saline and sharp finish: a pure and vibrant Alpine expression.

The Arcane cuvée is a more confidential red single-vineyard cuvée, crafted from Gamay, Mondeuse or Pinot Noir depending on the vintage. Respectful vinification and careful aging in barrels make it a deeper and more complex expression, sought after by enthusiasts.

The Méthode Ancestrale Blanc cuvée is a natural sparkling wine crafted from Altesse or Jacquère, bottled before the end of fermentation to preserve a natural effervescence. Without dosage, without expedition liqueur, it is a free and joyful wine, perfect as an aperitif or with fresh cheeses.

The Méthode Ancestrale Rosé cuvée, crafted from the estate's red grape varieties (Gamay, Pinot Noir, Mondeuse), offers a natural sparkling rosé, fruity, generous and thirst-quenching, a testament to Corentin's creativity and his mastery of all natural wine techniques.

The confidential single-vineyard cuvées complete the range with micro-productions resulting from successive experiments on skin-contact macerations, aging in stoneware jars, or unprecedented blends, reflecting the winemaker's constant curiosity and his desire to reveal every facet of the Chautagne terroir.