Domaine Elisa Guerin

Beaujolais-Villages, France |  2023

Every once in a while we taste wine from a new producer that makes us stand up and take notice. Such was the case recently when we tried the wines of Elisa Guérin.

Growing up in a wine family, Elisa pursued agronomy for her studies in Dijon. After school she spent time working as a sourcer of quality agricultural products for several Parisian chefs. She returned to her family estate in 2018.

Based in the village of Moulin-à-Vent, the family owns 4.2 hectares of vines in the appellation. They have also expanded a bit outside, acquiring a parcel in the village of Chiroubles, as well as starting to produce this excellent value, a Beaujolais-Villages.

Among wine nerds such as ourselves, in an effort to promote the region of Beaujolais, we’ve spoken so much about Cru Beaujolais, single vineyard wines, and their ability to age. In some ways this takes us off course to what we love so much about Gamay, it’s drinkability and the sheer enjoyment that it can bring even in its most simple form. Simply put, Beaujolais is an everyday wine.

It is in that mold that Elisa creates her delicious Beaujolais-Villages. Sourced from two organically farmed vineyards in Quincié-en-Beaujolais and Lantignié. The vines here are a whopping 50 years-old, and one can tell the quality of the fruit immediately upon first sip. 

Vinification is based on carbonic maceration of whole clusters, but only with natural yeast. Elisa employs a soft pump over, twice during fermention, with no punch downs and a slow, gentle press. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks through the winter.

Beautiful red berry notes on the nose, showcasing wild strawberry and a hint of spice. Soft, silky, but with some weight and texture from the old-vines. Such a pure and expressive example of Gamay. With the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, this is a wine you will want to stock up on. One bottle will not be enough!