Daniel Bouland Cote-de-Brouilly

Daniel Bouland, a vigneron situated in Villié Morgon within the Rhône region, tends to a modest 7-hectare domaine. His vineyards, nestled in the hamlet of Corcelette, boast diverse and exceptional terroirs characterized by steep slopes reaching up to 40%. Working tirelessly, Daniel dedicates around 12 hours a day to his craft, nurturing old bush vines, some aged between 60 to 100 years, planted in high density on Vialla rootstock, all meticulously tended by hand where tractors dare not venture.

With a preference for solitude, Daniel embodies humility and discretion, occasionally wrestling with moments of anxiety. He approaches his work with a profound commitment, hand-harvesting all grapes and vinifying them with full clusters and native yeasts in concrete vats, employing two pump overs per day. The wines then undergo aging in ancient foudres within his compact cellar. Throughout the élevage process, Daniel's attentive stewardship ensures the wines reach their full potential before being bottled without filtration, resulting in Gamay expressions that are both long-lived and reminiscent of a bygone era, showcasing the depth and finesse characteristic of Beaujolais.

One of his notable creations is the Côte-de-Brouilly 2022 Cuvée Mélanie, named after his daughter. Sourced from 70-year-old vines situated in schist and granite-derived soil with blue diorite on the southern slope of Mont Brouilly, this wine is aged in old oak foudres. Displaying a luscious plum hue, it offers a palate rich with spicy fruit notes, culminating in a distinct stony finish.