Julien Pineau

Julien Pineau came to wine by an indirect route: raised in Tours, he studied sociology and law, worked abroad and returned to France before a harvest with Lise and Bertrand Jousset shifted his attention toward the vineyard. After experience with growers in the Loire and Provence, he joined Laurent Saillard in dividing the twelve hectares of Clos Roche Blanche, taking six hectares and releasing his first vintage in 2015.

His vineyards have clay-and-limestone soils and are worked organically, without certification; horses help with vineyard work. Fermentation proceeds without added sulphur, and the wines commonly mature for twelve to twenty-four months before release.