Julien Crinquand

MENTOR
In the middle of the last century, Julien Crinquand's grandfather acquired a 12-hectare farm in the hills outside Arbois with around 5 hectares of vineyards. He continued growing grapes sold to local cooperatives and producing other agricultural products. Julien, who had grown up in a family with a farming background, decided to join Fabrice Dodane at Domaine de St Pierre, one of the first leaders of the natural wine scene in the Jura, in early 2020.
In addition to learning the craft of organic viticulture & careful vinifications with little or no added sulphur, Dodane became a mentor of sorts and helped Crinquand start his estate in 2019 using the family vineyards that had already been converted to organic viticulture in 2016. This mentorship aspect of Julien's journey is truly inspiring and will make you appreciate his dedication and passion for winemaking.

LES CANONS DE JEAN
Although Julien never intended to become a vigneron, he quickly settled into his world. Estimating the seasons, getting to know the vineyards, what you can do better, and what you should leave out—these are things Julien learned during his early childhood holidays with his grandfather. He artfully interweaves current knowledge with that of the past. He works with little intervention in the cellar, uses indigenous yeasts, follows an extended maturation of 12-36 months, and does not add any sulphur.
He owns Chardonnay and Savignin for white wines, both sous voile and ouillé, and Trousseau, Ploussard, and Pinot Noir for red wines. All are bottled under Les Canons du Jean, a name that pays homage to Julien's grandfather, Jean, who was a significant influence on Julien's winemaking journey and is depicted on the label.

EXCITING
Red wines are destemmed, fermented, and matured for 12 months before bottling. White wines are fermented in stainless steel or older used barrels, usually in demi-muids. They are then aged for at least 12 months, although many wines are aged for longer, even 24 to 36 months. The cellars are housed in the large barn, a historic building on the estate, with the old press on the ground floor. Downstairs are the older barrels for maturation.

DEPTH AND DRIVE
From a unique environment comes a series of excellent, ethereal red and white wines with a depth and drive that makes them the most exciting new wines in the Jura. These wines, with their unique characteristics, will surely intrigue you and make you eager to experience them.
Julien impressively handles the pure red fruit of Trousseau, Poulsard, and Pinot Noir. Through ambitious and perfect vinification, he also sublimates the Chardonnay and Savagnin into gripping natural flavours that are captivating from start to finish. The alternation of purity, complexity, refinement, balance, and length keeps you glued to the wine. The aim is always to produce Zero-Zero wines with no added sulphur unless necessary.

CHARLINE AND CAPUCINE
With his loving wife Charline and their daughter Capucine, a beautiful family life awaits them in the newly purchased house with a cellar next to the large barn, where the goats play with the rabbits and the chickens cluck around. This family aspect is not just a part of Julien's life, but it's also a significant part of the winemaking journey, making you feel connected and part of the story.