Arnaud Lopez - Maison Pinot Noar

History of Arnaud Lopez - Maison Pinot Noar

Arnaud Lopez is far from a newcomer to the wine world. Born in Nuits-Saint-Georges, in the heart of the legendary terroirs of the Côte de Nuits, he grew up surrounded by vineyards and wine enthusiasts. Son of a renowned restaurateur in the 1980s (Le Sanglier), where the region's great winemakers like Philippe Angel or Henry-Frédéric Roch would gather, Arnaud was immersed in this world from childhood. At age 18, in 1988, he made his first vinification attempts in his maternal grandfather's cellar, with rudimentary means but already sharp intuition. This foundational experience planted the seeds of a vocation waiting to flourish.

Yet, Arnaud Lopez's life initially took a different path. Trained as an educator, he devoted his sensitivity and energy to helping others for several years. It wasn't until age 35, in 2007, that he made a radical turn to fully embrace his passion for the vine. He then joined Domaine Prieuré Roch, an absolute reference in Burgundy for its natural wines and demanding practices. For 15 years, he refined his craft there, working both in the vineyards and in the cellar, under the guidance of figures like Yannick Champ or Christophe and Patrick, pillars of the domaine after the death of Henry-Frédéric Roch in 2018.

In 2018, Arnaud took a new step by launching his own project: Maison Pinot Noar, an artisanal négociant business whose name is a playful anagram of his nickname, "Arno." Still employed at Prieuré Roch until 2022, he started modestly, purchasing organic grapes from winemaker friends and vinifying his first micro-cuvées. These discreet beginnings revealed exceptional talent, confirmed by the 2019 and 2020 vintages. Today, established in a historic cellar in Nuits-Saint-Georges, Arnaud Lopez produces wines that captivate with their depth and energy, while remaining faithful to a deliberately limited production. A story of experience, career change, and passion that makes Maison Pinot Noar a gem to discover.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Arnaud Lopez - Maison Pinot Noar

Maison Pinot Noar is based on a rigorous selection of grapes from exceptional Burgundian terroirs, all cultivated in organic agriculture, even biodynamic. Arnaud Lopez does not own his own vineyards but works closely with winemaker friends, whose work he supervises throughout the year. From pruning the vines to harvest, he is personally involved to ensure the quality and vitality of the grapes he vinifies. This unique approach makes him a true guardian of the terroirs he bottles.

His cuvées draw their character from prestigious parcels of the Côte de Nuits and the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, as well as from appellations such as Pommard, Savigny-lès-Beaune, or Morey-Saint-Denis. The soils, composed of clay, limestone, and marl, give the wines a distinctive minerality and elegant structure. For example, the vineyards of Morey-Saint-Denis, with their deep red-tinged clays, give birth to dense and velvety pinot noirs, while the hillsides of Hautes-Côtes de Nuits bring freshness and brightness. In Chevrey, near Arcenant, Arnaud works with old vines, some 80 years old, of Aligoté and Pinot Blanc, on abandoned then restored lands, naturally free of chemicals for decades.

This rigor is reflected in his vineyard management. Aware of environmental issues, he refuses to use grapes from rows adjacent to conventional parcels, preferring to sell them to preserve the purity of his natural wines. Wild animals, such as deer and wild boar, seem to validate his choice: they favor his organic grapes, more flavorful and full of life. Between respect for biodiversity and the quest for harmony, the terroirs of Maison Pinot Noar tell the story of a living and authentic Burgundy.

Vinifications of Arnaud Lopez - Maison Pinot Noar

Arnaud Lopez's philosophy in the cellar is clear: intervene as little as possible to allow the grapes to express themselves fully. His vinifications, entirely natural, exclude all additives—no sulfur, no sugar, no filtration—and rely on indigenous yeasts for both fermentations. This approach, inherited from his experience at Prieuré Roch, highlights the purity of the fruit and the singularity of the terroir.

Arnaud favors whole-cluster fermentation, a technique that intensifies aromas and gives the wines a vibrant texture. The macerations, often long (up to four weeks), alternate gentle punching down, performed barefoot—a personal signature—and delicate pumping over to extract finesse and complexity. Once fermentation is complete, the wines are aged in used barrels of 228, 300, or 400 liters, aged 2 to 3 years, to avoid any excessive mark from new oak. For his growing volumes, he also incorporates Italian amphorae (Clayver) of 250 and 450 liters, which mitigate the impact of new barrels when he must use them.

His cellar, nestled in a quiet street of Nuits-Saint-Georges, is a place steeped in history. Equipped with stainless steel tanks for small cuvées and cement tanks, some diverted from their original funerary use, it maintains a stable temperature, ideal for cooling grapes before vinification. Working by gravity thanks to a trapdoor leading to the barrel cellar, Arnaud orchestrates each step with precision and intuition. The result? Dense, mineral, and balanced wines, designed to shine in their youth while promising beautiful aging potential.

The cuvées of Arnaud Lopez - Maison Pinot Noar

Maison Pinot Noar offers 11 cuvées, each with a unique personality, reflecting the terroirs and the talent of Arnaud Lopez. Here is their complete presentation:

Orphéo: Pinot Noir from Premeaux-Prissey (Burgundy). Sourced from clay-limestone soils, this deep wine reveals black fruits and a saline finish.

Lazaro: Pinot Noir from Morey-Saint-Denis (Burgundy). Velvety and generous, it offers notes of blackberry and spices on a fine tannic structure.

Pommard: Pinot Noir from Pommard. Structured and intense, it reflects the power of this legendary appellation.

Larrets: Pinot Noir from Hautes-Côtes de Nuits (Larrets parcel). Elegant and precise, it expresses the finesse of this hillside.

Pinot Noar: Pinot Noir from Hautes-Côtes de Nuits. Dark and rich, it seduces with its brightness and aromas of plum and spices.

Savigny: Pinot Noir from Savigny-lès-Beaune. Dense and pure, this wine with accents of black fruits and cocoa promises aging potential of 10 to 12 years.

Côtes de Nuits: Pinot Noir from Comblanchien. Balanced and mineral, it embodies the typicity of this renowned terroir.

Chevrey: Pinot Noir from Hautes-Côtes de Nuits (village of Chevrey). Fresh and vibrant, it draws its energy from old vines.

Blouge: Blend of Gamay and Aligoté. Light and delicious, this original wine combines fruitiness and liveliness.

Pinot Blanc: Pinot Blanc from Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, with short maceration. Subtle and textured, it reveals beautiful freshness.

Chardonnay: Chardonnay from Jura in direct press. Straightforward and mineral, it surprises with its purity.

Each cuvée is vinified without sulfur, in whole clusters, and aged in used barrels, ensuring an authentic expression of the terroir.

Want to further explore the world of natural wines from Burgundy? The region is full of talents who, like Arnaud Lopez, push the boundaries of minimalist winemaking. Discover the vibrant cuvées of Bastian Wolber, the feminine and profound creations of Claire Naudin, or the rare elegance of the wines of Jean Yves Bizot. Don't miss Thomas Pico from Domaine Pattes Loup, master of natural Chablis, or Yann Durieux of Recrue des Sens, an iconic figure of sulfur-free wine. Also delve into the history of Clos des Vignes du Maynes, the intensity of Horées, or the purity of the wines of Frédéric Cossard. Each domaine offers a unique vision of the Burgundian terroir, perfect for enriching your passion for organic and natural wines.

Maison Pinot Noar by Arnaud Lopez is much more than a domaine: it is a celebration of Burgundy in its natural state. With his organic wines from living vines, vinified without compromise, Arnaud redefines viticultural craftsmanship in a region where excellence is the norm. From the bright Pinot Noir of Hautes-Côtes de Nuits to the pure Chardonnay from Jura, his cuvées captivate with their intensity and authenticity. While quantities remain limited—a deliberate choice to preserve quality and independence—the reputation of this experienced winemaker continues to grow. For lovers of natural wines from Burgundy, purchasing a bottle from Maison Pinot Noar means treating yourself to a piece of terroir, history, and passion.