The oldest known ancestor of Dominique Piron, Etienne Bailly, was born around 1590 in Morgon, under the reign of King Henry III, in full wars of religion. 3 centuries of family Bailly and Piron followed one another, producing and selling wine from Gamay to Morgon.
Today, a new story is being written. With know-how, roots and terroirs, Dominique Piron has created a Domain among the leaders of the region.
At Maison Piron, there is no "recipe", but a multitude of possibilities and combinations, depending on the knowledge of the terroirs, the appellation, and the purpose. Grapes of quality that are ripe and representative of their soil, a severe sorting if necessary, a partial destemming depending on the maturity of the stalks, some "pigeages" and pumping over, lengths of fermentation depending on terroirs, appellations, and vintages. Few technical interventions. The major idea is "permanent adaptation to the elements". Piron wines are traditional. They express the soil from which they come from. It is a compromise between the search for the best tannins and the preservation of finesse, elegance and purity. A moderate maturation in barrels brings roundness without being overwhelming.
Starting with the Romans, wine growing has developed since the 3rd century. Dominique Piron’s oldest known ancestor was born in Morgon in 1590. Since then, there have been 14 generations of wine growers in the family. Morgon and Moulin à Vent wines have long been renowned among France’s finest wines.
Dominique Piron
1590 Oldest known ancestor Etienne Bailly, winemaker in Morgon
1950 Born in Côte du Py ; 14th generation in Morgon
1968 University of Dijon
1971 First vintage
1988 First grapes bought in Beaujolais
2003 Chenas with Lameloise
2016 President of the Interbeaujolais Bureau
Julien Revillon
1973 Born in Beaujolais
1997 Master of Wine Trade in Dijon
1998-2004 Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne
2005 Colombo in Rhône Valley
2013 Domaines Piron, Beaujolais
In a vineyard with difficult terrain− 30% steep slopes and a virtual patchwork of parcels, Dominique Piron is engaged in sustainable winegrowing. On winegrowing land filled with old broken-down granite and schist, the watchwords are natural balance and biodiversity.
For vinification, their goal is to create terroir wines, wines of character, that remain fruity, subtle and elegant.
Gamay is the heart and soul of Beaujolais crus.
A cross between the Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc varieties, Gamay was originally imported from Croatia by the Huns in the 4th century. Gamay is a delicate variety and it is either excellent or nothing at all. At any rate, Gamay is a quite remarkable variety because it can either be enjoyed young for its fruitiness and elegance, or allowed to age, developing the structure and mineral qualities so appreciated by connoisseurs.
Morgon, the image of Dominique Piron.
Morgon wines are solid but never hard. They are racy and elegant. They always have a slight hint of black cherry (some would say kirsch, as the wine ages), and bright spicy notes. With their great structure, Morgon wines keep very well. Morgon, a sure value.
Eight other appellations, including Brouilly, Regnié, Fleurie, Chénas, Moulin à Vent, Saint Amour, Beaujolais rouge, rosé and white with the Chardonnay variety.
Domaines Piron, the specialist in Morgon.
A leading Beaujolais enterprise.
An international reputation with wines sold in 30 countries worldwide.
Dominique Piron Beaujolais Morgon Aux Pierres is made from 100% Gamay.
A mineral wine with fine tannins reflecting a perfume of concentrated dark fruits.
A small plot of vines of 85 ares acquired by Dominique Piron's grandfather in 1932. Registered on a place called "Aux Pierres", it is well named due to its blue stones, very typical of the Côte du Py. Year by year, the quality of the harvest has made it an emblematic plot of Piron's family. Elite of the domain, this special cuvee is produce only in case of exceptional vintage. It's a cuvee that can be kept for more than 10 years.
Review:
"This deep and powerful Morgon is just beginning to give its best. The spicy oak is there, but well integrated with the plum and blackberry fruit. Very good balance on the generous front palate, but at the back the richness makes a bold statement and the tannins just hold it in check. With a shade less ripeness this would be even more impressive. Drink or hold.
- James Suckling (April 2021), 92 pts
Dominique Piron Morgon Cote du Py is made from 100 percent Gamay.
The Morgon Cru is based in the heart of Northern Beaujolais. Côte du Py is the heart of Morgon, a little hill of very old blue stone rocks - the oldest soils of Beaujolais (around 430 millions years old), with a typical blue color.
Côte du Py has been known for centuries for being the best terroir of the village, producing long lived wines with strong structure and flavors.
Wines of the Côte du Py are very dark, profound and dense. Classic aromas of red berries, cherry, kirsh. Fruity, structured and mineral in the mouth with graphite flavors and spicy notes of black and white pepper. Wine can age up to 10 years.
Hand picked grapes are sorted manually and destemmed for 50 to 70%. Fermentation starts in concrete tanks and lasts for 18-25 days with remontages and pigeages. Then after pressurage starts the aging, for 2/3 in concrete tanks, and 1/3 in recent French oak barrels with batonages on fine lies only. After 10 month we do the blending, keeping only the best cuvees and best barrels, and do the bottling.
Pairs well with red meat like beef, duck and game (Hare, Dear, Wild Pork,…), cheses.
Dominique Piron Morgon Cote du Py is made from 100 percent Gamay.
The Morgon Cru is based in the heart of Northern Beaujolais. Côte du Py is the heart of Morgon, a little hill of very old blue stone rocks - the oldest soils of Beaujolais (around 430 millions years old), with a typical blue color.
Côte du Py has been known for centuries for being the best terroir of the village, producing long lived wines with strong structure and flavors.
Wines of the Côte du Py are very dark, profound and dense. Classic aromas of red berries, cherry, kirsh. Fruity, structured and mineral in the mouth with graphite flavors and spicy notes of black and white pepper. Wine can age up to 10 years.
Hand picked grapes are sorted manually and destemmed for 50 to 70%. Fermentation starts in concrete tanks and lasts for 18-25 days with remontages and pigeages. Then after pressurage starts the aging, for 2/3 in concrete tanks, and 1/3 in recent French oak barrels with batonages on fine lies only. After 10 month we do the blending, keeping only the best cuvees and best barrels, and do the bottling.
Pairs well with red meat like beef, duck and game (Hare, Dear, Wild Pork,…), cheses.
Avennia Sestina Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc.
The story of this wine - The Sestina is an ancient form of poetry from Medieval France. Just as a modern poet can fill this form with new expressions, Avennia uses the traditional Bordeaux blend to express Washington. Sestina is their vision for an old vine, complex blend where all of the components complement each other. This wine is designed for the cellar, so the emphasis is on structure, balance, and complexity.
Winemaker Tasting Notes - “Good deep ruby/garnet color, with aromas of black cherry, fresh black currant, dark mocha, cigar box, and graphite. The palate is lively and dense with mountain berries, mocha, vanilla honey, damp earth, and wildflowers. The finish shows a distinct chalky minerality and beautiful tension. This is a classically balanced and ageworthy Sestina. Drink 2025-2040.” - Chris Peterson, Winemaker
Review:
"The Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated release from Peterson, the 2017 Sestina comes from the Red Willow, Bacchus, and Dionysus vineyards. Rocking levels of crème de cassis, sappy herbs, violets, and cedar pencil all flow to a full-bodied, incredibly pure, polished 2017 that offers flawless balance, ripe tannins, and a great, great finish. It's more approachable than normal yet is still going to evolve for 15 to 20 years. The blend is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, all raised 20 months in 50% new French oak."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2020), 95 pts
Kasteelberg Pinotage is made from 100 percent Pinotage.
The Kasteelberg range of wines, celebrates the discovery of Riebeek and the Kasteelberg mountains in 1661. Kasteelberg stands sentinal over the fertile valley below. From the slopes of the mountians, hand-selected grapes are expertly crafted with care to produce rare and expressive wines. The Kasteelberg range truly is the pinnacle of our Winemakers'art.
Harvested from an exceptional vineyard in the heart of the Swartland, the Kasteelberg Pinotage is characterised as a well-structured wine, offering layers of flavours and aromas. Seductive rich plum flavors with notes of captivating dark chocolate follows through in a smooth and lingering palate of intense flavors integrated with the freshness of ripened cherries.
Grapes used for this wine are coming from vines that are 10 years old in average. It is also sustainable farming used for this plot.
The grapes were cold-soaked for 3 days at 10°C to extract as much color as possible before fermentation. After cold-soaking, the temperature is increased to around 18°C and yeast is added to start fermentation. Regular pump-overs are done to enhance skin contact which improves the flavor and color profiles. Fermentation temperature between 22 - 26°C. Fermented dry on skins, pressed. After malolactic fermentation, wine is transferred to barrels. French oak barrels, 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill barrels for 12 months.The grapes were cold-soaked for 3 days at 10°C to extract as much color as possible before fermentation. After cold-soaking, the temperature is increased to around 18°C and yeast is added to start fermentation. Regular pump-overs are done to enhance skin contact which improves the flavor and color profiles. Fermentation temperature between 22 - 26°C. Fermented dry on skins, pressed. After malolactic fermentation, wine is transferred to barrels. French oak barrels, 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill barrels for 12 months.