Corentin Houillon

History of Domaine Corentin Houillon

Corentin Houillon's story begins well before his own establishment, in the Jura region where his family has its roots. The grandson of Anna Houillon, who used to take him on holiday to Pupillin to stay with Pierre Overnoy, Corentin trod the 1991 Ploussard by foot from a very young age, and was introduced to tasting during the 1993 harvest by his uncles and aunt: Manu Houillon (Overnoy's partner), Aurélien Houillon (based in the Vaucluse) and Adeline Houillon (married to Renaud Bruyère in Arbois). This deep family immersion in natural wine shaped 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 vineyard management 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). Searching for his own project, he prospected 12 different regions before meeting Alain Bosson at the Domaine de Veronnet in Serrières-en-Chautagne. He took over 5 of the estate's 10 hectares in 2019 (the remainder going to Florian and Marie Curtet), and produced 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 nestled between the Grand Colombier to the west and the Gros Foug to the east, on the banks of the Rhône, close to Lac du Bourget. Surrounded by forest, with no neighbouring vines whatsoever, the estate benefits from an exceptional microclimate combining alpine and continental influences. The soils are composed of glacial molasse, blending Jurassic calcareous sandstone and quartz sands — a legacy of the last glaciations — conferring on the wines a unique mineral signature and a characteristic "Savoyard glacial imprint".

The vineyard is planted in equal parts with white and red varieties, 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 (AB certified) and biodynamic, following the principles of Rudolf Steiner and the use of preparations 500 and 508. No mechanical soil tillage, permanent cover between the rows, green manure sown under the vines, gentle pruning, treatments limited to copper, compost teas and plant ferments. A zero-input, zero-chemical approach in which biodiversity (flowers, insects, plants) coexists in harmony with the vines.

Vinifications of Domaine Corentin Houillon

At the cellar, situated at the very foot of the vines, Corentin Houillon practises a resolutely natural vinification, without any oenological additives. Harvesting is entirely manual, followed by gentle pneumatic pressing. Vinifications take place in concrete and steel tanks (destemmed or not, with or without inert gas blanketing depending on the cuvée), with alcoholic and malolactic fermentations conducted solely by the indigenous yeasts naturally present on the berries. No sulphur added, no oenological inputs: fermentation is regarded as the key process for revealing the authenticity of the terroir.

Ageing takes place in old barrels and demi-muids for certain cuvées, sometimes in sandstone jars or old foudres, giving the wines time and oxygen. Temperatures are rigorously controlled. Bottling is carried out by Corentin himself, without added sulphur, without fining or filtration, with vacuum sealing using unmarked natural cork stoppers washed with steam. Recycled paper labels, eco-responsible cardboard boxes: the approach is consistent down to the smallest detail, delivering pure, vibrant and emotional wines.

The Cuvées of Domaine Corentin Houillon

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

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

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

The Cosmos cuvée puts the spotlight on Mondeuse, an emblematic alpine red grape variety sometimes compared to the Syrah of the northern Côtes du Rhône. Vinified as a single-parcel cuvée with meticulous work and tailored ageing, it yields a structured, deep red marked by black fruits, pepper, spice and the complex alpine notes characteristic of the grape variety.

The Montée Furieuse cuvée is a single-parcel cuvée of pure Jacquère planted on the steepest slopes of the estate, on soils rich in quartz. Vinification and ageing carried out entirely in demi-muids with no additions whatsoever, on full lees to gain texture and aromatic complexity. Bottled without filtration or sulphur. Pale colour, mineral nose, crystalline palate with notes of white fruits, fennel and anise, saline and incisive finish: a pure, vibrant alpine expression.

The Arcane cuvée is a more confidential single-parcel red, produced from Gamay, Mondeuse or Pinot Noir depending on the vintage. Respectful vinification and careful ageing in barrels yield a deeper, more complex expression, sought after by enthusiasts.

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

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

The confidential single-parcel cuvées complete the range with micro-productions resulting from successive experiments in skin-contact maceration, ageing in sandstone jars, or novel blends, reflecting the winemaker's perpetual curiosity and his desire to reveal every facet of the Chautagne terroir.