Maison Maenad

History of Maison Maenad

The story of Maison Maenad began in 2017, when Katie Worobeck, originally from Ottawa, Canada, crossed the Atlantic to complete a six-month internship with Anne and Jean-François Ganevat, the guiding figures of natural wines from the Jura. This initially temporary experience transformed into a true vocation: Katie would go on to spend five years alongside the Ganevats, working her way through every stage and immersing herself in a philosophy of absolute respect for living things. Prior to this, she had worked at a winery in Ontario and taken part in the harvest at Bouchard Finlayson in South Africa in 2015.

The first vintage under the Maison Maenad label was born in 2019, from just over half a hectare of the climat "Aux Varrons" (Rotalier), a Chardonnay plot on clay-limestone soil, complemented by a négociant cuvée crafted from Beaujolais Gamay. The name Maenad refers to the Maenads, the possessed and inspired women of the god Dionysus in Greek mythology, a symbol of freedom, wild nature and sincere expression. From 2022 onwards, the project took on a new dimension with the acquisition of approximately 3 additional hectares of old vines above Grusse, in a high-altitude forest setting.

Terroirs and Vines of Maison Maenad

The Maison Maenad vineyard now extends over nearly 4 hectares in the southern Revermont area of the Jura, around the villages of Orbagna, Rotalier and Grusse. The historic plot, located in the renowned lieu-dit "Aux Varrons" in Rotalier, is planted with Chardonnay on clay-limestone soils, with a few rows of Gamay and ancient hybrid grape varieties in co-plantation. This plot is emblematic of the Jura, neighbouring reference estates such as that of Kenjiro Kagami.

The new plots, perched on the heights of Grusse on the forest's edge, are planted with very old vines on Jurassic limestone and marl, and bring together all five of the Jura's traditional grape varieties: Chardonnay, Savagnin, Trousseau, Poulsard and Pinot Noir. Farming is strictly organic with biodynamic principles: manual soil work, preservation of biodiversity, attention to microbial life, and respect for the rhythm of the seasons. Yields are deliberately low in order to produce concentrated, healthy and expressive berries.

Winemaking at Maison Maenad

In the cellar, Katie Worobeck's approach is radically non-interventionist, in keeping with the Ganevat school. The harvest is entirely manual, the grapes are carefully sorted and then vinified without any additions (no industrial yeasts, no enzymes, no oenological inputs). Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations take place solely with the indigenous yeasts naturally present on the berries, which gives each cuvée a unique personality linked to its vintage and its plot.

Ageing takes place slowly, in old oak barrels (with no oak influence), for several months to over a year depending on the cuvée. No sulphur is added during ageing, and only a few cuvées may receive a minimal touch at bottling for stabilisation. Certain Chardonnay barrels are also aged under veil in the Jura tradition, extending their ageing over longer periods. Bottling is carried out without filtration or fining, yielding wines that are straight, sometimes a little wild, always sincere and bearing the identity of the terroir and the winemaker.

The Cuvées of Maison Maenad

The De L'Avant cuvée is the estate's historic signature wine, crafted from Chardonnay grown in the lieu-dit "Aux Varrons" in Rotalier, on clay-limestone soils. Vinified without additives and aged patiently, it delivers a straight, chiselled and mineral white wine with a pronounced saline texture and pure fruit. A wine for cellaring, best left for several years to reveal its full depth. Rated 90-91/100 by international critics.

The De L'Avant V2 cuvée is a variation on the preceding wine, sourced from a specific selection of barrels from the same Varrons climat. Extended ageing, sometimes more complex and more oxidative aromatic expression: a singular Chardonnay that reveals another facet of the terroir.

The Drôle de Tendresse cuvée is a wine of nuance and delicacy, crafted from a blend of Jura grape varieties (Poulsard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir depending on the vintage) through gentle vinification. The result is an airy, fruity, lightly crunchy wine with smooth tannins and a generous drinkability, true to its poetic name.

The Sous l'Ombrage cuvée, produced primarily from Trousseau (sometimes as a blend depending on the vintage), expresses the full finesse of this emblematic Jura grape variety. Light ruby colour, a nose of fresh red fruits (redcurrant, raspberry) lifted by floral and spiced notes, a silky and vibrant palate with a mineral texture, and no added sulphur.

The Ciel du Ciel cuvée is one of the most poetic and rarest wines of the estate. Produced in very small quantities, it offers an airy and luminous interpretation of the Jurassian terroir, with no added sulphur, a vibrant texture and a saline thread. A cuvée of pure emotion, sought after by lovers of high-calibre natural wines.

The Savagnin Réveil Spectral cuvée pays tribute to the Jura's iconic grape variety. Vinified as a white wine with topping up (without veil depending on the vintage), it delivers a straight, taut Savagnin marked by citrus, mineral notes and a saline finish of great purity. The name evokes the ghostly and bewitching character of this grape variety unique in the world.

The Gamay Le Néant cuvée is a négociant wine crafted from grapes sourced from the neighbouring Beaujolais, vinified in the Jura style with the same natural philosophy. Light, generous, fruity and refreshing, it offers a joyful entry point into the world of Katie Worobeck.