The Winegrowers

Jean Foillard

Jean Foillard

Taking over the family estate in 1981, Jean Foillard quickly evolved alongside Marcel Lapierre and the young winemakers influenced by Jules Chauvet, the early pioneers in Beaujolais of healthy viticulture enabling natural whole-cluster fermentation. The estate has gradually grown to around twenty hectares of Gamay (though some plots have been uprooted, awaiting replanting), mainly located in the Morgon and Fleurie crus, to which a plot of Chardonnay for white wine has now been added. This approach to viticulture prioritizes soil life and terroir expression, particularly from the "climats" of Côte du Py, Corcelette, and Les Charmes in the Morgon cru. Over the past forty years, the reputation of Jean Foillard – now joined by his sons Alex and Louis – has been built on purity of fruit, silky depth of texture, a terroir character that transcends the grape variety, and remarkable drinkability.

Beaujolais

Jean Foillard