The Top 11 Places to Explore Organic and Biodynamic Wine in France
The Top 11 Places to Explore Organic and Biodynamic Wine in France in 2023
France, for centuries the standard-bearer for winemaking, has long been a haven for those seeking to delight their senses with the finest wines the world has to offer.
From the sun-kissed vineyards of Provence to the crisp, cool hillsides of Champagne, France boasts a rich and varied wine heritage that is unmatched.
In recent years, a new factor has emerged in the form of organic and biodynamic wines, which offer not only exquisite taste but also a deep commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly production methods.
In this article, we will take you on a journey through the Top 11 places to explore organic and biodynamic wine in France in 2023, beginning with the storied region of Burgundy and the remarkable Chateau de Pommard.
Burgundy – Chateau de Pommard
Nestled in the heart of Burgundy, Château de Pommard is a must-visit destination for wine lovers seeking a taste of organic and biodynamic wines. With its history dating back to the early 18th century (1726 to be exact), this estate has long been a symbol of excellence in the world of French wine.
Today, under the watchful eye of talented winemaker Paul Negrerie, Chateau de Pommard has embraced biodynamic practices, ensuring the purity and authenticity of its wines.
Visitors to Chateau de Pommard can sample the exquisite Pinot Noir wines of the famous Clos Marey-Monge but can also embark upon a journey that takes their palate on a journey through other celebrated appellations where Chardonnay wines are also available.
The estate also offers a variety of wine education courses, making it an essential destination for those seeking to deepen their understanding of organic and biodynamic wines.
2. Bordeaux – Vignobles Ponty in Fronsac
In the world-renowned region of Bordeaux, Vignobles Ponty stands out as a shining example of organic winemaking, thanks in large part to the dedication and expertise of its owner and winemaker, Helène Ponty. Ponty, the fifth generation of her family to take the reins since its founding in 1905, has committed herself to crafting wines that showcase the terroir and reflect the values of sustainability and environmental stewardship.
The vineyards, located in the Fronsac appellation, are cultivated using organic and biodynamic practices, and the resulting wines are both elegant and expressive. On selected occasions throughout the year, visitors to the estate can enjoy guided tours and tastings, as well as the opportunity to learn more about the fascinating world of organic winemaking from the woman who has made it her life’s work.
3. Loire – Domaine des Roches Neuves
Caring for and respecting the vine are the heart of Thierry Germain’s philosophy at Domaine des Roches Neuves. This domain in the heart of Saumur-Champigny is a flagship for biodynamic practices and are known for true expressions of local terroir in their Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc wines.
Germain was born into a winemaking family in Bordeaux. At 23, he found himself in the Loire Valley. Thierry treats his vines like human beings to produce the best fruit. With his unique approach and mastery of the local terroirs, Thierry makes some of the liveliest wines in the region.
For Thierry, biodynamics is a commitment to the vine, to wine, to people and to the planet. He uses the technique of rolling up the vine instead of pruning, which supports the plant’s natural lifecycle and allows it to better breathe and develop.
The balance between the vines and the soil enables earlier harvests. In the wine this means maturity before alcohol becomes too high and results in the preservation of minerality. Thierry works to limit intervention during winemaking and carefully chooses his aging vessels so the wines can fully express themselves.
4. Jura – Domaine de la Tournelle
The Jura region, known for its distinctive and unique wines, is home to Domaine de la Tournelle, an organic and biodynamic winery that has been making waves in the world of French wine. Founded in 1991 by Evelyne and Pascal Clairet, Domaine de la Tournelle has embraced a philosophy of minimal intervention and respect for the environment, resulting in wines that truly reflect the character of the Jura terroir.
The estate’s lineup includes the iconic Vin Jaune, as well as Chardonnay, Savagnin, Poulsard, and Trousseau varieties. Visitors can tour the vineyards and cellars, learn about the winemaking process, and taste the exceptional wines crafted by this forward-thinking estate.
“Our philosophy is to produce grapes without chemicals but simply by the work of our hands,” they say.
5. Languedoc – Chateau Maris
In the sun-soaked region of Languedoc, Chateau Maris stands out as a leader in organic and biodynamic winemaking. With a strong commitment to sustainability, the estate has earned numerous accolades for its environmentally conscious practices, such as constructing a winery made entirely from hemp bricks.
The wines of Chateau Maris, crafted under the direction of winemaker Robert Eden, showcase the richness and diversity of the Languedoc terroir. Visitors can explore the vineyards, tour the innovative winery, and taste the range of wines, including the flagship Syrah and Grenache blends.
They have a fully developed environmental plan and have been registered B-Corp since 2016. If you’re looking to discover a real field leader in the deep south of France, this is your man.
6. Champagne – Champagne Fleury
As the first biodynamic Champagne producer, Champagne Fleury has a well-deserved reputation for innovation and excellence. Since converting to biodynamic practices in 1989, the estate has been producing Champagnes that are both expressive and environmentally responsible.
Visitors to Champagne Fleury can enjoy guided tours of the vineyards and cellars, learn about the unique challenges of biodynamic viticulture in the region, and, of course, taste the estate’s exquisite Champagnes. With a commitment to quality and sustainability, Champagne Fleury is a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts exploring the Champagne region.
Jean-Pierre Fleury wanted to be an astronomer but had to go to work in the family vineyard. He was drawn to biodynamics and the intersection of winemaking, the cosmos and care for the environment. Today, his three children Morgane, Benoît and Jean-Sébastien run the estate with Jean-Pierre.
In the vineyard, Benoît applies biodynamic principles learned from his father. He aims at improving soil life and biodiversity and transmitting that to the taste of Fleury wines. The family grows multiple varieties allowed in Champagne, including Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay. In the cellar, they use indigenous yeast and reduce the use of sulfites and the impact of oak to create pure and expressive champagne. Older vintages demonstrate the unique personality of Fleury and its terroirs.
7. Corsica – Domaine Comte Abbatucci
On the picturesque island of Corsica, Domaine Comte Abbatucci offers a unique opportunity to discover organic and biodynamic wines in a breathtaking setting. Owned by the Abbatucci family for generations, the estate has embraced biodynamic practices, cultivating native Corsican grape varieties in harmony with the island’s unique ecosystem.
Visitors can tour the vineyards and winery, learning about the estate’s history and its commitment to preserving Corsica’s winemaking heritage. The diverse range of wines, including red, white, and rosé, offers a taste of the island’s distinctive terroir.
Considered one of the oldest vineyards in Corsica, Domaine Comte Abbatucci extends over 21 hectares of granite arenas, in the heart of the Taravo valley in Southern Corsica and at an altitude of about 150 metres.
“The holistic approach of our Corsican estate obliges us to take into account all the elements that go into responsible viticulture: the climate, the mineral, the plant, the animal and the human,” Jean-Charles Abbatucci.
8. Rhône Valley – Domaine Montirius
At Domaine Montirius, biodynamic viticulture has been practiced for 25 years. In fact, they were the first vineyards certified biodynamic in the appellations of Gigondas and Vacqueyras.
Christine and Eric, who named the estate after their children, want to let the terroir speak for itself by limiting interventions in the cellar and in the vineyard.
Eric and his entire family are committed to integrating sustainability in all parts of the estate, from the development of unique natural corks to the construction of their own eco-friendly cellar.
Eric and Christine gradually brought their vineyards up to the highest standard, moving early into biodynamics and building their own cellar at the beginning of the 2000s. They pick grapes at full maturity, after having carefully monitored the acidity, pH and sugar on each of their 38 plots. Human intervention is very limited and oak-aging has been banned since 2002, replaced entirely with vats. Grapes and stalks are separated to express the freshness and elegance of the fruit while the wine remains rich and structured.
9. Provence – Domaine Gavoty
The Gavotys have been making wine on their Roman-era farm in the commune of Cabasse since the early 19th century. Staunch defenders of their soil, the family fought for the recognition of the Côtes de Provence appellation in the 1980s. They were also the first in the region to grow the Rolle grape variety (more famously grown in Italy under the name Vermentino).
Eighth-generation winemaker Roselyne Gavoty took the reins of her family’s estate in 1985. She brought the estate into modernity by embracing organic viticulture and eliminating foudre casks in favor of old cement and steel tanks that produce fresher, more technically impeccable wines.
Planted on clay-limestone soil, the 46-hectare estate produces a majority of rosé, followed by white and red wine. Roselyn uses the saignée method (which involves “bleeding” off a portion of red must) to create rosé of matchless structure and depth. The age-worthy whites are made from Rolle grape vines that were planted in 1981 while the reds are partially aged in oak barrels.
10. Alsace – Domaine Josmeyer
Domaine Josmeyer is a five-generation family estate. Jean Meyer led the estate’s organic and biodynamic conversion in the early 2000s, before his daughters Isabelle and Céline took over in 2009. The interplay of art, poetry and winemaking is integral to their Alsatian varietal wines, with Isabelle herself designing the Josmeyer labels.
Isabelle and Céline are the first women to run the estate and have put their own stamp on the winery, both physically and in philosophy. They use drawings and poetry on 100-year-old casks to document their winemaking notes as the wines mature, focusing on each one’s expression and personality.
In keeping with biodynamic practices, Isabelle and Céline focus on bringing life to their wines first in the vineyard, through the soil, the vine and the grape. Continuing this care and attention in the winemaking process, grapes are hand-harvested and slow-pressed to ensure the optimal extraction of all the aromatic subtleties of the grapes.
Wines are aged in casks on lees, sometimes for years. The end results are deep, balanced wines that uniquely showcase the terroir and varietal.
11. Southwest France – Chateau le Puy
Located in the lesser-known region of Southwest France (this is a different region to Bordeaux), Chateau le Puy has been a beacon of organic and biodynamic winemaking since the 1950s.
The estate, which has been in the Amoreau family for over 400 years, is dedicated to crafting wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region, using only the most sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
Visitors to Chateau le Puy can explore the vineyards and understand the biodynamic methods as well as taste the range of wines, named after the family’s ancestors.
The dedication to sustainability and the rich history of the estate make Chateau le Puy a truly memorable destination for wine enthusiasts exploring Southwest France. They first used vegetal fertilisers in 1700, so somewhat ahead of the curve!
“Our ancestors lived in virtual self-sufficiency in this remote corner of Gironde. They instinctively contributed to the shaping of a permanent balance around beneficial interactions between species: animals (insects, humans, horses, etc) and plants (vines, plants and forest, etc.) live together in harmony. This is why forest, meadows and a pond account for half of our land,” says the family.
As the world of wine continues to evolve, the importance of organic and biodynamic practices cannot be overstated. These wineries and estates represent the cutting edge of sustainable winemaking in France, showcasing the very best of what can be achieved when the environment and the art of winemaking are held in equal esteem.
From the historic Chateau de Pommard in Burgundy to the trailblazing Vignobles Ponty on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, these destinations offer a unique and unforgettable experience for wine lovers seeking to explore the world of organic and biodynamic wines in France in 2023 and beyond.
