Paul Janin

History of Domaine Paul Janin et Fils

It all begins in 1918 when Jean-Claude Janin, Éric's great-grandfather, decides to embark on a career as a winegrower in Romanèche-Thorins. Twenty years later, in 1937, his son Marcel, passionate about viticulture, acquires his first plots in the lieu-dit Le Tremblay, truly giving birth to the estate. After the Second World War, Marcel — a curious self-taught man — studied the vine and wine through observation and developed a deep knowledge of organic chemistry, optimising fermentation processes that were remarkable for the time. Marcel was the first to have the intuition that a direct relationship with customers would be paramount: in 1952, he introduced estate bottling and direct sales, a forward-thinking decision for the era.

On returning from the Algerian War, Paul, Marcel's son, joined his father on the estate in 1962. In 1967, he acquired the lieu-dit Les Greneriers, a plot of century-old vines that would quickly become the estate's flagship cuvée. His son Éric, freshly graduated in viticulture and oenology, joined him in 1983 and officially succeeded him in 2008. Since then, Éric has run the estate with rigour and passion, ever mindful of preserving the old vines and allowing the terroir to express itself. The discovery, during the 2020 vintage — when a shortage of corks and bottles forced extended ageing in stainless steel tanks for two full years — that the wines gained in finesse and depth, led him to make long ageing a deliberate choice for the top cuvées. In 2018, Maison Paul Janin et Fils was created to offer exclusive cuvées selected by vintage. His daughter Perrine represents the fifth generation.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Paul Janin et Fils

The vineyard of Domaine Paul Janin et Fils covers 7.6 hectares, entirely within the Moulin-à-Vent appellation and in Beaujolais-Villages, in Romanèche-Thorins. The plots are spread across several emblematic lieux-dits of the appellation: Le Tremblay (historic plots since 1937), Les Greneriers (century-old vines acquired in 1967), and two small plots of 55 and 32 ares. The soils of Romanèche-Thorins have a unique typicity: a manganese rock formerly called "glassmaker's soap" because it was used to bleach the glass of faience factories. It is this manganese that gives the wines of Moulin-à-Vent their structure, their longevity and their capacity to "pinoter" — to take on Pinot-like characteristics — over time.

Gamay is the exclusive grape variety for the reds (100%), cultivated on these granitic, manganese-rich soils. Chardonnay is planted for the Beaujolais-Villages whites. The estate is artisanal in every sense of the word: the vines are worked by hand, harvested manually, "almost always the last" to obtain fully ripe grapes with dense tannins. The preservation and development of the old vines is one of Éric Janin's primary concerns.

Winemaking at Domaine Paul Janin et Fils

Éric Janin's winemaking philosophy is that of a craftsman who lets the vintage and the terroir guide his decisions, without following a set routine. Fermentations take place in tanks, with partial carbonic maceration in the Beaujolais tradition. Pressing is pneumatic. Ageing is carried out in stainless steel tanks for the base wines and in extended stainless steel tanks or in large oak casks for the top single-vineyard cuvées. The revelation of the 2020 vintage — where extended ageing of two years in tank produced wines of unexpected finesse and depth — transformed the ageing philosophy: since then, long ageing has been a deliberate choice for the single-vineyard cuvées, "time becoming an ally."

In certain vintages, the estate may decide to bring together its three single-vineyard cuvées into a single wine, "faithful to the year and its character. A choice dictated by the vintage, not by routine." This ability to adapt to the potential of each year reflects a rare artisanal spirit and an absolute trust in the terroir of Moulin-à-Vent.

The Cuvées of Domaine Paul Janin et Fils

Moulin-à-Vent Le Tremblay: Historic red cuvée and the founding wine of the estate, from the first plots acquired by Marcel Janin in 1937 in the lieu-dit Le Tremblay. "This wine marks the origin of the estate." Vines over 80 years old growing on manganese and granite soils. A red wine of elegance and complexity characteristic of Moulin-à-Vent: aromas of blackcurrant, violet and spices, a broad and fresh palate, fine tannins and a long finish. The cuvée that has embodied family memory and continuity for nearly a century. "An exceptional Moulin-à-Vent, this svelte and indulgent cuvée ranks among the great classics of the appellation."

Moulin-à-Vent Les Greneriers: The estate's flagship cuvée and icon, from the Les Greneriers plot acquired by Paul Janin in 1967. The century-old vines ("The name almost certainly comes from graines — seeds — as cereals were once grown here instead of vines") on granite and manganese produce grapes of unparalleled natural concentration. Long ageing. A red wine that is "deep, rich and elegant", with "remarkable aromatic concentration." "A true star of the appellation" according to connoisseurs. Ageing potential of 10 to 15 years. "The mythical cuvée of Domaine Paul Janin, a true gem." A favourite of many guides and wine lovers.

Moulin-à-Vent Clos du Tremblay (or Les Greneriers 2nd plot): Red cuvée from the two small complementary plots of the estate (55 and 32 ares), formerly known as Clos du Tremblay. A red wine in a style close to Les Greneriers but with a slightly different expression linked to the plot. "A true gem", according to the wine lovers who discovered it under its former name.

Beaujolais-Villages Rouge: Red Beaujolais-Villages cuvée produced from Gamay on the estate's plots outside the Moulin-à-Vent appellation. A lighter and fruitier red wine than the estate's Moulin-à-Vents, with aromas of small red fruits and delicate spices. The introductory cuvée to the Janin universe, to be enjoyed within 2 to 3 years.

Beaujolais-Villages Blanc: White cuvée produced from Chardonnay grown on the estate's plots. A fresh and fruity white wine with aromas of white-fleshed fruits and flowers. The estate's white cuvée, to accompany light dishes or as an aperitif.

Maison Paul Janin et Fils (exclusive cuvées by vintage): Since 2018, the family has created Maison Paul Janin et Fils, a dedicated structure for producing exclusive cuvées exclusively within the Moulin-à-Vent cru, "according to the potential of each vintage". Each Maison cuvée carries the same artisanal and family signature as the Domaine cuvées, but with a creative freedom that allows for the exploration of different expressions of the Romanèche-Thorins terroir. Produced in very limited quantities, these cuvées represent the natural extension of the family's commitment.