High on it's rocky perch at 450 metres, the village of Chateau-Chalon is master of all it surveys, perfectly situated at the centre of the Revermont. It is the birthplace of the Vin Jaune - itself known as the "King of Wines". A wine of solid gold, rare and with a unique character. This wine alone has the right to the appellation Chateau-Chalon, and is grown on only 50 hectares. Chateau-Chalon has watched over its vineyards for many centuries, as the Savagnin grape grew on the grey marl soil to eventually produce its wine. The village of Chateau-Chalon is beautifully preserved and retains the calm aura bequeathed to it by the abbesses who founded the village and the vineyards in the 5th century. Menetru-le-Vignoble, Domblans and Nevy-sur-Seille also have the right to use the Chateau-Chalon AOC.

COTES-DU-JURA

From Saint-Amour in the south up to Port Lesney in the north, the appellation "Cotes du Jura" is the best known of the Jura appellations. At nearly 80 kilometres long, it comprises 800 hectares of vines, surrounding some sixty wine villages. This lively and sunny area cradles some charming vineyards! The Cotes du Jura is a fascinating area, which has been witness to a rich history of winegrowing (Arlay, Baume-les-Messieurs, Le Pin, Poligny, Toulouse-le-Chateau, etc..). Here, the full range of wines is produced, reds, whites, yellow (Vin Jaune), straw (Vin de Paille), as well as the sparkling Cremant du Jura, and the fortified Macvin du Jura. If certain sectors (Arlay, Passenans, Marnoz) are more favourable to producing red wines, the greater part of the area is covered with the white grape varieties, Chardonnay and Savagnin, which are most at home here. Certain crus, such as Arlay, Gevingey, Lavigny, Mantry, Passenans, Poligny, Rotalier or Le Vernois... are renowned.

ARBOIS

This magical name is the standard bearer for the Jura wine region of which is has been the official capital since 1986. The magic is nevertheless predestined since the name Arbois is formed from two celtic words "ar" and "bos" which mean "fertile earth". Surrounded by its 300 hectares of vines, the medieval town was the first place in France to receive the AOC, awarded by the legislature after the decree passed on 15th May 1936. It is above all the home town of the illustrious Louis Pasteur, whose experiments in fermentation made him the "father of oenology". The "Arboisians" have always been pioneers, defenders of their vine stock and of their nectar. They were the first to instigate quality controls by controlling the products, protecting the vines and issuing certificates for transportation. This pioneering spirit has in turn, led to the Arboisians being rebellious, above all when at the proclamation of the republic in 1834, they all declared themselves "tous chefs" (all bosses!) or in 1906 when they refused to pay their taxes. Les Arsures, Montigny-les-Arsures, Mesany, Vadans, Villette-les-Arbois, Pupillin figure amongst the principal villages of the appellation. The originality and quality of the wines of Pupillin was recognised by decree on the 12th June 1970, allowing the association of the name Pupillin together with the name Arbois.

L'ETOILE

The attractive name of this little wine village is fully deserved! The stellar reference refers equally to the beauty of the village and to the quality of the wines. L'Etoile could equally refer to the fact that the village is surrounded by five hills, each at the point of a star, or even to the five beautiful chateaux or even because in the vineyards, many fossilized starfish have been found! The 80 hectares of vines in production today are worked by some 15 or so winemakers. Here, they produce nothing but white wines, wines with a particular taste of the "terroir", of flint and of hazelnuts. L'Etoile has also built its renown with its superb sparkling wines (cremants). The villages of Saint Didier, Quintigny and Plainoiseau are also allowed to use the L'Etoile AOC.