Born and raised in the picturesque countryside of France, Jean-Baptiste Souillard is a name that is making waves in the wine industry. At a young age, he showed a natural inclination towards winemaking and comes from a family with a long history in the trade. However, instead of simply following in their footsteps, JBS chose to embark on a journey of his own, studying and gaining experience in different corners of the world.
After honing his skills in Australia and New Zealand, JBS returned to his homeland and spent crucial years at prestigious estates such as Château Latour in Bordeaux and Comte Armand in Pommard. It was during his time in Burgundy that he noticed a trend in his home region of Northern Rhône - the tendency to blend different lieux-dits (small parcels of land) into large regional blends.
Determined to showcase the unique character of each individual parcel, JBS launched his own venture as a micro-négociant in 2014. Following the Cistercian method, he believes in creating wines that truly reflect their terroir. His passion for discovering untapped, old-vine sites on the Rhône's têtes de coteaux (the top of the hills), has led him to produce 11 distinct Syrah cuvées from Crozes alone.
In his quest for producing exceptional wines, JBS prefers late-ripening hillside parcels for his reds, allowing the fruit to fully mature with a refreshing acidity. Even his Vin de France whites, picked early for optimum freshness, showcase a level of expressive fruit that is unexpected for their category.
With a focus on producing vins de garde (wines with aging potential), JBS goes against the trend of creating simple, easy-drinking wines. In his cellar, he relies on intuition and takes inspiration from the old-school vignerons of Northern Rhône. His winemaking approach is minimalistic, with wild fermentation, delicate extractions, and minimal use of sulphur and neutral oak aging.
From his tiny medieval cellar in the Ardèche hills, JBS is making his mark in the world of wine. His dedication to showcasing the unique character of each parcel and his uncompromising approach to winemaking has earned him a reputation as a talented producer with a promising future. Keep an eye out for his wines, as they are sure to impress even the most discerning palate.
