Portrait: Valentin Morel, the Jura "Les Pieds sur Terre"
Returning to the Poligny family Winery in 2014, Valentin Morel has established himself in just a few years as one of the most promising winegrowers in the Jura. His portrait.
Genesis of the story
After studying law and working as a civil servant at the prefecture, Valentin Morel decided to return to his peasant and Jura origins. He is one of those who did not find any interest in these so-called "intellectual" professions and finds much more meaning in returning to the Winery family winery in Poligny in the Jura. A choice then. But it is also a reflection on the meaning of the "work value" and the intellectual approach of manual jobs that are badly considered.
Work in the vineyards
On his return, he found vines that his father had been working without weed killers and other products since 1999. Obviously, dogs don't make cats, Valentin decides to continue the work and converts the Winery to organic agriculture (AB certified) and biodynamics. He tries simplified cultivation techniques, planting vegetation in the rows of vines to correct the soil properties. The young winemaker prefers green to iron: plants to the plough. Their root system can correct soil properties more than human intervention.
Soils
Considered to be relatively difficult to work, these Jura soils are mainly made up of Triassic marlsmore or less heavy. This requires a great deal of work in the vineyard to encourage the life of the soil, in particular with the help of the pickaxe, the tool par excellence of winemaker.
Grape varieties
At Valentin Morel's, we find the traditional and endemic grape varieties of the Jura: savagnin, poulsard and trousseau. Also present on Winery : chardonnay and pinot noir.
"Down to Earth
Since 2014, Valentin Morel has therefore taken in hand a 6-hectare Winery renamed " ". Feet on Earth "which reflects his state of mind, but also a tribute to the pioneers of "bio". Magnificent vintages, the perfect reflection of a terroir and a winemaker committed, dynamic and promising. So let us follow the young man in his agricultural struggle and uncork his unique bottles without restraint!
ALL VALENTIN MOREL WINES are HERE