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The eminent Jura region is synonymous with its emblematic Vin Jaune and Vin de Paille. Brothers Bernard and Guy Rolet of Domaine Rolet apply immense accuracy and precision in the vineyard and the winery, driven by the understanding that great winemaking starts on the vine.

Jura is a small wine region in eastern France, posited between Burgundy and Switzerland.

Here, bucolic hillsides meet the forested Jura Mountains. Vines generally cloak the lowers slopes of mountains at an elevation of 200–400 metres, and are rooted in Jurassic limestone, marl and clay (and plenty of fossils).

Domaine Rolet was founded in 1942 by Désiré Rolet. His four children took over operations in 1958, with Bernard and Guy taking charge of the vines and vinification, and Pierre and Eliane running marketing. Over the years, the domain has acquired prime old vines across Arbois, Côtes-du-Jura and L’Étoile appellations (the region’s wines fall under five core appellations in total) and now spans 65 hectares.

The siblings farm sustainably and harvest the fully ripe grapes by hand—which is difficult work among the steep slopes. No synthetic chemicals are used and the soils are constantly ploughed.

Five main grape varieties are used in the region's wines—three traditional and two imports. Poulsard is a red grape that accounts for one-fifth of the region's plantings, while trousseau requires high levels of sunshine to mature and hence covers only the warmest 5% of Jura's vineyards. White Savagnin, also known locally as naturé, is used in all of the region's appellations and is the grape behind those delicious vins jaune. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the two imports to the region, with the latter known locally as Melon d’Arbois and now comprising 50% of total plantings.

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This uncompromising vigneron knows that his oxidative end result is as much a product of natural winemaking as it of natural farming. He believes good wine starts with the vine, and his hard work and dedication to his vineyards are a tribute to nature.

Didier Grappe completed his studies at the viticulture wine school in Beaune, Burgundy in 2001, and in 2007 his domain was certified organic by Ecocert. Situated in Saint-Lothain within the Côtes-du-Jura appellation, Domaine Didier Grappe farms 3.5 hectares of local varietals across three separate parcels around the village—Champs Rouge, Novelin, and Longefin.

Half a hectare is planted with the red varietals (Pinot Noir, Poulsard, and Trousseau), with three hectares dedicated to Chardonnay and Savagnin. These are rooted in grey and red marl soils, which he tends to with the utmost respect. No chemical treatments are used in the vineyard, and his winemaking involves no cultured yeasts or tannins, and is void of chaptalisation, acidification, filtering, and fining. “Grapes only”, as he would say.

His wines are much like his personality—refined and restrained, with a slight amount of tension.