winemaker Louis TERRAL

Louis Terral does not come from Bugey. So what!

Louis studied industrial engineering and worked in a number of industries, some of them chemical. As he says, "I've come a long way, and I know what I don't want to do anymore! ». One day he was given the opportunity to work in the vineyards. It was not only a beautiful moment but also a real trigger. He threw himself body and soul into this reconversion by passing a BTS in wine-making. He worked for some time with various winegrowers in the Beaujolais/Mâconnais region: Michel Grignier, Julien Balagny, Philippe Valette and the Tripoz family.

In 2016, he moved to his wife's grandparents' farm in Mérignat, in the Bugey region. There, from 2016 to 2017, he worked for (the famous) Raphaël Bartucci, winemaker in the same village, while taking over plots here and there in some neighbouring communes. He worked on these plots early in the morning, in the evening and at weekends... Louis is a hard worker!

Louis Terral is curious and passionate about biodynamics, agroforestry, permaculture, composts... a vision of nature that is quite similar to the philosophy of the Japanese Masonobu Fukuoka (natural agriculture). His objective: to do without all the machines that consume carbon, to be self-sufficient (and therefore autonomous) with his work, his vegetable garden. He has a lot of projects in his head, a lot of desires and especially the desire to do things well in perfect harmony with nature.

Currently (2021), he works on 2.2ha, 6 parcels, rented, of which 5 in Mérignat and 2 outside the village. Everything is in organic and biodynamic conversion. Although he works on Cerdon land, Louis only makes still wines and mainly with Gamay (0.35 are of Chardonnay). And he is the only one in this village of Mérignat. For the record (and Louis is delighted), this village of 145 inhabitants has gradually seen its 6 winegrowers go organic. 100%, not bad!

2017 and 2018 were very complicated years: frost, hail over 80%. 2019 is a beautiful year that we tasted in bottle at his place last March (2021). Gamay, gamay, gamay... and without added sulfite! Bravo Louis, Petites Caves follows you and encourages you!