Justin Dutraive

Justin Dutraive is a young winemaker from the Beaujolais area, in the far south of Burgundy, who makes juicy and sincere interpretations of the terroir following a truly artisanal winemaking philosophy. After serving apprenticeships with important winemaker friends such as Jean Foillard and Julie Balagny and collecting vintages in Australia and Oregon, Justin returned to the family estate, the famous Domaine de la Grand'Cour, to work alongside his father Jean-Louis. With the 2015 vintage, the young vigneron released his first personal label, immediately demonstrating how the art of winemaking runs through his veins. The winery is located in the village of Fleurie, known as one of the most winegrowing communes in the whole of Beaujolais, and it was here that Justin located his first vineyard. His idea is to limit the extension of the vineyards in the future, so that he can directly control each stage of the production process.
Justin Dutraive's estate consists of just 2 hectares under vine, dedicated exclusively to Gamay, the area's main grape variety, cultivated according to organic farming principles. Harvesting is done by hand and the grapes are chilled before being placed in spherical fibreglass tanks for semi-carbonic maceration. These special wine containers can rotate on their own axis, thus avoiding the need for periodic pumping over. In general, the oenology adopted by Justin is minimalist and artisanal, aimed at indulging the expression of the terroir without sophistication or invasive intervention.
Justin Dutraive's expressions stand out for their genuine and appetising character, an authentic reflection of the Beaujolais terroir. Despite his young age, with his labels Justin is already proving that he has a more than rosy future ahead of him by placing himself in the new wave of talented Beaujolais vignerons.