JEAN-FRANCOIS GANEVAT | Vino del Jura

Jean-François Ganevat, known to everyone as Fanfan, is one of the most famous natural winemakers in the world. His family has been making wine in Rotalier, in the Sud Revermont at the southern end of the Jura, since 1650, and he is the 14th generation.

Before coming home he spent years as cellar master at Domaine Jean-Marc Morey in Chassagne-Montrachet in Burgundy. He took over the family vines in 1998 and works alongside his sister Anne.

Ganevat wines are found in the best restaurants and the coolest wine bars around the world, and many of today's Jura stars learned from him, including Katie Worobeck, Nicolas Jacob and Alexandre Plassat.

There are two labels. Domaine Ganevat wines come from the family's own vines in Rotalier, while the Anne et Jean-François Ganevat wines are made from grapes bought from growers in the Jura and beyond, and carry different labels.

From the domaine, Les Chalasses Vieilles Vignes, Florine and Les Grands Teppes are Chardonnays, Sous la Roche is Savagnin, Plein Sud is Trousseau, L'Enfant Terrible is Poulsard and Cuvée Julien is Pinot Noir. Les Vignes de mon Père is a Savagnin that spends around ten years in barrel.

The négoce wines are more playful, such as J'en veux encore, made from Gamay, and Madelon, a blend of Trousseau, Gamay and Enfariné. As with most Jura wines, supply is tiny, so if you see Ganevat, our advice is to buy it quickly. Check the list below for what we have right now.

The domaine covers around 13 hectares of Côtes du Jura vines on blue and grey marl and limestone, at 300 to 400 metres. More than half of the vines are over 50 years old, and Jean-François grows around 25 grape varieties, including forgotten old Jura grapes he has brought back into the vineyard.

He has farmed holistically since the early 2000s. In the cellar the wines ferment with their own yeasts and usually age for at least two years in barrels and larger demi-muids, with terracotta used for some reds.

Most cuvées are made without any added sulphur. The style is famously precise and pure, which is why Ganevat is often compared with the very best of Burgundy.

Who is Jean-François Ganevat?

A Jura winemaker from Rotalier in the Sud Revermont, 14th generation of a winemaking family. He took over the family domaine in 1998 after years as cellar master in Burgundy.

What is the difference between Domaine Ganevat and Anne et Jean-François Ganevat?

Domaine Ganevat wines come from the family's own vines. Anne et Jean-François Ganevat is the négoce label, made from bought-in grapes, with different labels.

Does Ganevat add sulphur?

Most cuvées are made without added sulphur.

What grapes does Ganevat use?

Chardonnay, Savagnin, Trousseau, Poulsard and Pinot Noir, plus around 20 more, including old Jura varieties that almost nobody else grows.

Who has trained with Ganevat?

Several of today's best Jura winemakers, including Katie Worobeck, Nicolas Jacob and Alexandre Plassat.

Why is Ganevat wine so hard to find?

Production is small and demand is huge all over the world, so allocations are tiny and sell out fast.