PRODUCER: Guffens-Heynen
REGION: Lubéron, Southern Rhône, France
WINEMAKERS: Jean-Marie Guffens-Heynen
Many in the wine world will recognise Jean-Marie Guffens-Heynen's name, not least because of accolades from figures like Robert Parker, who celebrated him as one of the preeminent white Burgundy winemakers. Renowned for his transformative impact in Burgundy's Mâconnais with Domaine Guffens-Heynen and his négociant firm Verget, Jean-Marie's influence in Burgundy is indisputable. Domaine des Tourettes is his audacious venture into the Lubéron region near Apt in southern France, revealing an unyielding spirit of innovation. At this site he and his wife, Maine Guffens-Heynen, have not only redefined this estate but also showcased the untapped potential of the region.
WINERY HISTORY
Moving to France from Belgium in 1976, Jean-Marie and Maine were inspired to learn the intricacies of the French language and viniculture. Their commitment led to the birth of the distinguished Domaine Guffens-Heynen in Burgundy by 1979. However, after gaining renown through this iconic domaine and the eminent negociant firm, Verget, Jean-Marie felt a growing unease with Burgundy's shifting trends and spiralling costs. By 1997, this sentiment propelled them towards Lubéron. Their story with des Tourettes began with its purchase that year, positioned just a few miles from the town of Apt in the south-eastern Rhône Valley. Undaunted by the region's warmer climate, the estate's altitude at 420m offered a relatively cool microclimate, ensuring optimal growing conditions. They revitalised the vineyards, rejuvenated the soils, and infused new life into the terrain, replacing older, virused, and less productive vines. Here, they aimed to merge their seasoned expertise with the refreshing essence of the Rhône, defying traditional appellation confines and revealing the untapped potential of the high-altitude vineyards.
VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING
Today, the vineyard is a far-cry from the chemical misuse that characterised its past. Sustainably farmed, the 15ha site is divided 50/50 between red and white varieties, dedicated to the production of Chardonnay, Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier, Syrah, Grenache, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Nestled within a national preserve, the estate is a harmonious blend of wildflowers, ancient vines, and olive groves, epitomising the soul of southern France. Positioned at 400m elevation, and with some plots reaching the heights of the notable Plateau de l'Aigle, the vineyard reaps the benefits of a distinct microclimate. This altitude ensures the wines retain a freshness, harmonising with the lush ripeness that the sun-bathed region naturally imparts.
Terroir-driven wines that reveal Jean-Marie’s vision for the region, these bottlings delight with the same vibrancy of his work in Macon. Work in the vineyards and cellar is meticulous. Post-harvest, only the finest juices are selected, ensuring distinct acidity and character. The wines age for 8 months in barrels - 25% new - followed by an additional 10 months on fine lees which adds layers of depth. The winery resonates with a Burgundian touch, employing modified vertical presses, concrete tanks, and barrels borrowed from Verget. Each wine, following natural yeast fermentation, is aged in a mix of cement eggs, stainless steel tanks, and barrels. Removing themselves from the AOC and bottling under Vin de France has given Jean-Marie the ability to draw out unique characteristics without compromising the quality or style of the wine. Merging unsurpassed expertise with a unique terroir has elucidated the marvelous potential of this high-altitude site.
IN THE PRESS
"Guffens’ mastery of technique is complete, but he is not a technical winemaker: it is his aesthetic, not his methods, which indelibly marks his wines. Forty years ago, no one would have imagined that the Mâconnais could produce wines which approach so nearly the apotheosis of Chardonnay, and as Guffens enters his seventh decade, he believes he’s doing the best work of his career. It’s time for the world to rediscover him." William Kelley - Rebel Aesthetic: the wines of Jean-Marie Guffens
