Country: France > Burgundy

Domaine Laurent Martray

Laurent Martray is the 4th generation of his family to make wine in Brouilly, having taken over all aspects of winemaking in 1987. In French circles, he has risen through the ranks of top Beaujolais producers and established himself as a standard bearer for the Brouilly cru. Laurent is part of a young generation of vignerons who have increased the awareness and quality of this region by recognizing the immense capacity to make long-lived, world class wines from the noble terroir found in the various crus of Beaujolais. Laurent farms what may be some of the oldest vines in Beaujolais, with all the vines being 50-100+ years old! Aging is done in only used barrels for all of the cuvées, allowing his low-yielding, old vines to express themselves in a distinctly pure and unadulterated manner. There has simply never been a better time to drink Cru Beaujolais, particularly when it so deftly combines winemaking talent, exceptional terroir, and mind-boggling value as it does with the wines of Laurent Martray.

My vineyards are located on the Combiaty hillside, facing the East and the South-east, where I produce my Vieilles Vignes and Corentin cuvées. I have recently started growing a parcel located on the famous Mont Brouilly, also situated in Odenas, where I produce my Les Feuillées cuvée, in the Côte de Brouilly appellation.

Côte de Brouilly: This is located on Mont Brouilly, dominating the village of Odenas. The wine is made from very old vines planted in 1916 on just over one hectare. The soil consists of “porphyritic” and “diorite” rocks with blue volcanic stone. The grape varieties planted are also 100% Gamay. This vineyard cannot be worked mechanically as the terrain is steep and very stony.

Brouilly: The vineyards are located in the Beaujolais area, 9 hectares grown in St Etienne la Varenne and 9 hectares in Odenas. The soil consists of granitic rocks, sand and silt on the surface. The grape varieties planted are 100% Gamay with a high density of plantation.

Winemaking: The work in the vineyard is carried out entirely by hand. Low levels of mechanization. Production is controlled by pruning and thinning if needed. The harvest is entirely picked by hand. Vatting period from 8 to 10 days and ageing in oak barrels or casks. Bottling is carried out without any filtering. .