In a remote corner of the Languedoc, between the Mediterranean and the Cévennes foothills, in Puimisson, a commune in the Hérault department of the Languedoc east of Béziers. It’s been a winemaking village for over 200 years and most of it’s soils are a mix of red clays and limestone.
Jean-François (‘Jeff’) Coutelou is one of the founding fathers of the contemporary natural wine movement – although he’s far too modest to admit it.
His pioneering family, which has never applied chemicals to its land, were among the first French producers to be granted organic status on the initial day of certification in 1987. Jeff has taken things further by halving the estate to increase biodiversity and introducing biodynamics.
Despite being a regular victim of sabotage from neighbours who view his low-intervention approach with disdain (see Jeff’s appearance on the Netflix documentary Rotten) he soldiers on, tending an oasis of beautiful vineyards in the heart of bulk wine country.
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