In 1981, Jean Foillard, with the help of his father, took over the family vineyards of Domaine Foillard. Very quickly, he caught the Marcel Lapierre virus. He was one of the first to follow in Lapierres footsteps, inspired by Jules Chauvet, and to expand the natural wine movement in Beaujolais and in France. He plunged into the natural wine movement in 1985 (no trendy at that time!). He converted his 16 hectares of Gamay vines to organic farming, and began to produce natural Beaujolais wines in the Morgon PDO. A formidable pioneer, over the years and through experience, he has perfected his skills to become one of the most popular winemakers in Beaujolais.
A winemaker hardened by the years of the vineyard revolution, Jean Foillard has a reputation for a bad temper, or at least a strong one. At the same time, to swim against the tide in the 1980s in a chemical and mechanized viticulture, even if it meant being excluded, you dont have to be soft
Whatever, we know that behind his authoritarian papa bear side hides a tender heart. This doesnt make him talk about his production, perhaps because he wants to keep his prized wines a secret. All we know is that he vinifies in the simplest way possible with only a homeopathic dose of sulfites, and that the result is really good But you already know that !
Jean Foillards wines no longer have to prove themselves. Particularly the sumptuous Morgon Cote du Py. It has become a classic, that every wine lover must taste once in his life !
When drinking these wines blind, it can sometimes be difficult to recognize the Beaujolais, as the wines of Domaine Foillard are complex and dense (something that can sometimes be rare in the region) while possessing the freshness and fruitiness of the area.
In short, one thing is sure, it is that his wines seduce amateurs, but also the great tables here and elsewhere.