We are proud to represent François Rousset-Martin as one of the flagship winemakers in our import-portfolio. François is a winemaker that truly embodies our company philosophy: taking time to craft terroir-driven wines that are deeply rooted in regional tradition while reflecting an innovative and non-interventionist approach to winemaking. François has been highly influential in bringing a fresh perspective to Jura winemaking – by both emphasizing the diverse expressions of the region’s terroirs through climat-specific winemaking, and experimenting with different durations and techniques of barrel-aging.
François’s journey into winemaking is deeply connected to his family and his upbringing in a region steeped in winemaking traditions. His father, a microbiologist at Hospices de Beaune, and his grandfather, who tended the family vineyards in Jura, both played pivotal roles in fueling François’s passion for wine. After earning an oenology degree in 2002 and gaining valuable experience working at various wineries in the Rhône and Languedoc, he ultimately took over his family’s vineyards in 2007. Previously, most grapes were sold to the local cooperative, with only a small portion reserved for personal wine production. However, over time, he has assumed full control of the winemaking process.
François has established himself as somewhat of a mayor-like figure within Château-Chalon, looking after many hectares of the most prestigious vineyards and working from multiple cellars scattered around the picturesque village. Perched atop a hill, with terraced vineyards set against a backdrop of imposing limestone and marl cliffs, Château-Chalon is known to have the most prestigious terroir for the noble Savagnin grape. Throughout history it has been the village most renowned for its Vin Jaune. To be able to put the Château-Chalon name on the label, the appellation demands the wine to be made in the traditional oxidative style. In this method, barrels are not topped up over time, allowing the wine to interact with oxygen as a veil of yeast forms over it, imparting concentrated savory, nutty, or caramelized aromas. François has mastered this traditional style, adding his unique touch by aging in deep, damp cellars known as “caves humides,” which results in wines that are finer, lighter, and more mineral-driven than those aged in traditional, temperature-fluctuating attics. In addition to this oxidative style, he also focuses on crafting non-oxidative ‘ouillé’ style wines, drawing from his training in Burgundy. These wines, although remarkable, must be labeled as Côtes du Jura, even though the vineyards rank among the best within Château-Chalon.
François’s cellars are nothing short of spectacular; the deep and mystical caves – that safeguard a treasured collection of wines produced by his grandfather – are adorned with clouds of mold and carry an atmosphere that transcends time upon stepping inside. In his elaborate vinifications, which take three years at a minimum (for the whites), François utilizes four distinct cellars, each with its unique natural temperature, humidity levels, and microbial activity, catering to different stages of vinification.
François crafts a diverse range of wines that are overall celebrated for their complexity and persistence. They showcase a wide spectrum of characteristics, from floral and delicate to exotic and savory. Being able to taste them side by side, is always an educational experience and one step closer to dissecting the intricacies of the unique terroir. The whites are revered for their vibrancy and concentration, marked by freshness, clarity, precision, and persistence in its finish. The reds are charming with delicate perfumey fruit providing an exceptional drinkability.
