The Winegrowers

Valentin Morel

Valentin Morel

When Domaine Morel-Thibaut – a renowned Poligny estate in the Côtes-du-Jura appellation – split in two in 2014, Jean-Luc Morel transferred his share of the vines to his son Valentin. From then on, inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner (biodynamics) and Masanobu Fukuoka (natural agriculture), and with ever-increasing standards, the estate – which took on a self-explanatory name: Les Pieds sur Terre – focused its work on soil life and conservation and on the vine's ability to express the terroir. In addition to the inevitable Bordeaux mixture, the vines receive biodynamic preparations and herbal teas, and the use of cover crops and green manures invigorates the soil's microbiology. Furthermore, in a spirit of research and experimentation, trials of resistant hybrid grape varieties are being conducted. The vinifications are carried out without oenological inputs, with possibly a tiny dose of added sulfur. The different terroirs of the estate (6.5 ha divided equally between white and red grape varieties) – notably Les Trouillots, Saint-Savin, En Bois d'Arnaux – deliver, white and sparkling as well as red, vintages with strong terroir accents, at once frank, direct, subtle and complex.

Jura

Feet on the ground

Valentin Morel