Valentin Morel: Feet on the ground, head in the clouds

The Jura is one of the most exciting regions in France. It would be difficult to recommend all the estates we love, as this small vineyard is brimming with talent. Nevertheless, we are pleased to offer the wines of a winemaker whose work we have admired for many years: Valentin Morel .

We've known his wines since the beginning, and each time it's a truly pleasurable experience, where the wine is savored rather than simply tasted. The wines are of a very high standard, leading us to say that they embody excellence , the very best, of what this vineyard has to offer.
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Valentin Morel took over his father's estate in 2014. Yet he had fled the wine industry for a more conventional, office job—a civil service position that offered job security and a fixed income. The complete opposite of a winemaker's daily life. And it has to be said, just 15 years ago, selling Jura wines was a real struggle! Following that path was practically a calling. Things have changed considerably. Almost too much, since it's now impossible to get wine from some estates.

Yet, despite his 7.5-hectare estate, Valentin's wines are among those that are not so easy to find. Firstly, because they are excellent, and that much is known. Secondly, because in recent years he has suffered all sorts of setbacks: mildew, hail, late frosts... resulting in significant crop losses.

Valentin immediately embraced organic farming and a natural approach to winemaking. We highly recommend reading his book (Un autre vin, published by Flammarion) where he recounts his experiences, setbacks, doubts, and his approach to the craft.

All of his reflections have led him to replant hybrid grape varieties that are disease-resistant, require little to no treatment, and offer viable yields. This is discussed in more detail in his book, but it warrants serious consideration when one considers that organic farming is not necessarily a panacea, particularly with regard to the copper left in the soil.

This approach may be its small contribution to addressing the climate challenges ahead, as well as the economic and societal ones. And we can legitimately ask ourselves the following question: won't hybrids be a way to work less and earn more?

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