Domaine de Saint Pierre - Fabrice Dodane

History of Domaine de Saint Pierre - Fabrice Dodane

The history of Domaine de Saint Pierre is intimately linked to that of Fabrice Dodane, a local son born in Arbois. After studying oenology in Beaune, Fabrice began his career at the Pupillin cooperative, where he honed his expertise before joining Domaine de Saint Pierre in 1989 as manager and winemaker. At that time, the estate, founded in the early 1980s by Philippe Moyne, a former lawyer turned winegrower, covered only 3 hectares. In 2011, following the untimely death of the owner, Fabrice seized the opportunity to buy the estate, marking a decisive turning point.

Under his leadership, the vineyard gradually expanded to reach 7.5 hectares, spread across the Arbois and Côtes du Jura appellations. As early as 2002, Fabrice began the conversion to organic farming, obtaining Ecocert certification in 2008. In 2012, he pushed his commitment even further by adopting biodynamic practices, with the ambition of preserving soil life and passing on a healthy vineyard to future generations. Influenced by iconic figures such as Emmanuel Houillon (Overnoy-Houillon) and Jean-François Ganevat, Fabrice Dodane developed a unique style, blending Jurassian tradition with minimalism in winemaking. Today, Domaine de Saint Pierre is celebrated for its natural, pure and expressive wines, which capture the soul of the Jura.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine de Saint Pierre - Fabrice Dodane

Domaine de Saint Pierre extends over 7.5 hectares across the Arbois and Côtes du Jura appellations, with plots spread across the villages of Mathenay, Vadans, Arbois and Pupillin. The soils, composed of a blend of clays, limestone, pebbles and grey marls, lend the wines a distinctive minerality and rare complexity. This terroir, typical of the Jura, is enhanced by the region's emblematic grape varieties: Chardonnay (2.8 ha), Savagnin (1 ha), Ploussard (1 ha), Pinot Noir (1.4 ha) and Trousseau (0.25 ha). Each variety thrives in this environment, where the cool climate and sun-drenched slopes encourage a slow and optimal ripening of the grapes.

Fabrice Dodane deliberately limits yields (approximately 28 hl/ha) to ensure exceptional concentration of aromas. The vines, with an average age of 50 years, are cultivated with meticulous care, without the use of chemical treatments other than sulfur and copper. This biodynamic approach, initiated in 2008, aims to preserve biodiversity and strengthen the expression of the terroir. The result? Wines that precisely convey the richness of the Jurassian soils, combining tension, freshness and a characteristic saline finish.

Winemaking at Domaine de Saint Pierre - Fabrice Dodane

Fabrice Dodane's winemaking philosophy is rooted in minimal intervention, allowing the terroir to express itself fully. Fermentations are carried out exclusively with indigenous yeasts, ensuring authenticity and singularity in every cuvée. The red wines, vinified without the addition of sulfur, are aged in stainless steel tanks or neutral barrels, often with whole clusters to accentuate freshness and fruity aromas. The whites, for their part, adopt two distinct styles: the ouillé style (topped-up barrels to prevent oxidation) and the sous voile style, typically Jurassian, where a veil of yeast forms on the surface, imparting unique oxidative notes.

Oak barrels ranging from 400 to 600 liters, sometimes up to 1,000 liters, are preferred for their ability to refine the structure of the wines without imparting overly pronounced woody aromas. Since 2012, Fabrice has drastically reduced the use of sulfur, reserving its addition to rare cases to stabilize certain cuvées before bottling. This minimalism, combined with technical rigor, yields wines of remarkable purity, both precise and vibrant. Climatic challenges, such as the frequent spring frosts in the Jura, have led Fabrice to diversify his sourcing by purchasing biodynamic grapes from fellow winegrower friends, particularly for his "Le Dos d'Chat" range, while maintaining the same exacting quality standards.

The Cuvées of Domaine de Saint Pierre - Fabrice Dodane

Domaine de Saint Pierre offers a varied range of cuvées, each reflecting a unique aspect of the Jurassian terroir. Here is an overview of the main cuvées:

White Wines

Chardonnay, Bodines - Le Dos d'Chat 

A vibrant Chardonnay, sourced from négociant grapes, offering notes of white fruits and mineral freshness, perfect for lovers of natural wines.

PMG Gewurztraminer Maceration, VdF - Le Dos d'Chat 

A bold Gewurztraminer, vinified by maceration, with floral and spiced aromas, ideal to accompany exotic dishes.

Riesling RTT, VdF - Le Dos d'Chat 

A fresh and precise Riesling, with notes of citrus and minerality, reflecting Fabrice's expertise in his négociant projects.

Chardonnay, Arbois, Château Renard 

A charismatic Chardonnay, aged in ouillé style, that charms with its purity, notes of lemon and a subtle limestone minerality.

Savagnin de Voile 

An iconic Jura wine, aged under a veil for six years, offering aromas of walnut, green apple and a captivating saline acidity.

Savagnin Autrement

Aged in a non-oxidative style, this Savagnin reveals notes of citrus, flowers and a mineral tension, embodying Jurassian elegance.

Chardonnay Les Dalles 

From clay-limestone plots, this complex Chardonnay blends tropical fruits (papaya, banana), spices (curry, cumin) and a creamy texture.

Le Blanc 

A blend of Chardonnay, Savagnin and Melon à Queue Rouge, from a vintage marked by frosts, offering aromatic richness with citrus and mineral notes.

Les Brulées 

A structured Chardonnay, natural and sulfur-free, with rich aromas and assertive elegance, perfect for lovers of complex whites.

Red Wines

Tout Facile - Le Dos d'Chat 

A light and indulgent red, ideal as an aperitif, with notes of fresh red fruits and exceptional drinkability.

Gamay GG, VdF - Le Dos d'Chat 

A négociant Gamay, juicy and spiced, that charms with its liveliness and festive character.

Ploussard - Le Dos d'Chat 

A indulgent Ploussard, with aromas of cherry and cranberry, perfect for convivial aperitifs.

Arbois, Le Rouge 

A blend of Pinot Noir and Ploussard, complex with notes of black fruits, spices and a saline finish, ideal after decanting.

Pinot Noir, Arbois, Saint Pierre 

A structured Pinot Noir, aged 15 months in 1,000-liter barrels, offering a silky texture and well-balanced fruity aromas.

Pinot Noir, Arbois, Les Gaudrettes 

Light and fresh, this Pinot Noir from clay-limestone soils reveals notes of red fruits and remarkable drinkability.

Poulsard, Arbois, Les Corvées 

A complex Poulsard, with aromas of red and black fruits, lifted by spiced and mineral touches.

Poulsard, Arbois, Petit Curoulet 

A 100% Poulsard, with notes of cherry, plum and gentle spices, with a floral and smoky touch.

Trousseau 

Expressive and juicy, this Trousseau offers aromas of raspberry and strawberry with floral nuances, a elegant structure and silky tannins.

Domaine de Saint Pierre, under the guidance of Fabrice Dodane, is an ode to the authenticity and elegance of the Jura. Each cuvée, whether from the estate's own vines or from négociant grapes, reflects an unwavering commitment to quality, respect for the terroir and naturalness. Dive into the world of the Jura and let yourself be captivated by these exceptional cuvées, true ambassadors of a fascinating wine-growing region.