Domaine Jules Desjourneys
A new beacon of quality in the Maconnais and Beaujolais

Domaine Jules Desjourneys is a new beacon of quality in the Maconnais and Beaujolais regions, crafted by the talented winemaker, Fabien Duperray. With over two decades of experience as a fine wine distributor, representing prestigious brands such as DRC, Coche-Dury, and Arnaud Ente, Fabien’s love affair with wine-making began 15 years ago when he acquired ancient Gamay vineyards in Fleurie and Moulin-à-Vent, some over 140 years old. This was followed by the acquisition of Chardonnay parcels in various Côte Maconnais appellations. The vineyards are farmed using biodynamic practices to create the most balanced and age-worthy wines possible.

“It’s about the aesthetic of the wine, not the yields – that’s what I work for. Biodynamics is really the viticulture of the rich – if you’ve no money, how do you do biodynamie? My corks cost 2 euros a time and the wax is not just for the aesthetic, it’s also protective – these are obviously not industrial bottles. My quest is to make the most stable wine whilst, at the same time, preserving the most life in those bottles…”
– Fabien Duperray

The whites come from around 10 hectares in Macon-Verzé, St-Veran, and three Pouillys (Loché, Vinzelles, and Fuissé). all made in tank with the exception of the Pouilly-Fuissé and Pouilly-Fuissé Vignes Blanches which are vinified using what Fabien calls “the Coche method”. He believes that fermentation is the most important element in winemaking. By carefully controlling the process, he creates complex aromas, and believes that properly done, it doesn’t require any SO2.

“The irrepressible Duperray displays just as virtuosic talents in the vinification and élevage of his Mâconnais whites as he does with his Beaujolais reds, drawing on lessons learned in the company of Jean-François Coche, Arnaud Ente and Pierre Morey…..In any case, this is one of the few addresses in the Mâconnais that produced 2018s that rival and in some cases even surpass their 2017 counterparts, and everything here comes warmly recommended.”
– William Kelley, The Wine Advocate