Domaine de Boischampt, Beaujolais

Domaine de Boischampt is a property on the move and is perhaps symbolic of the Beaujolais appellation today. The winery, with its sensitively restored, high-vaulted ceiling, is based in the beautiful hillside village of Jullié. The domaine has been making wine in the Juliénas region of northern Beaujolais since 1642. However, the switch in the 1980s to selling the wine in bulk for Beaujolais Nouveau bottlings changed its trajectory, belying the domaine’s long, proud history and the quality of the blue stone soils on which much of its vineyards are rooted.

New ownership in 2018 recognized the domaine’s untapped potential—its prized blue stone soils, notably similar to those in Morgon’s renowned Côte de Py vineyard—and embarked on a transformation. Winemaker Thibaud Baudin, whose experience includes Domaine de la Vougeraie and Domaine d’Henri, was brought in to lead the revival. He initiated vineyard replanting, converted the estate to organic farming (certified in 2023), and took bold steps, including planting three hectares of Chardonnay rather than Gamay, convinced that the white grape could thrive here. Fermentations are spontaneous, with no fining or filtration, and sulphites are used only at bottling. The estate currently
cultivates 15 hectares, with another 10 in development. The wines are fresh, focused, and unmistakably modern, promising an exciting future.

This transformation is evident in the bottle. The Beaujolais Blanc Jullié is crisp, with vibrant crab apple fruit, while the structured Juliénas, the Juliénas Les 4 Cerisiers and the majestic Saint-Amour—crafted from local Gamay—offer depth and elegance that rival some of the more revered Pinots of the Côte de Nuits. We are also delighted to now have access to their wonderful Beaujolais-Villages Rouge – Serious Gamay!