Loron

  • Mâcon, Pouilly-Fuissé, Beaujolais, Burgundy, France
Loron
  • It is clearly one of the very finest Cru Beaujolais producers in the firmament of the region today and an estate that I plan to be drinking with great regularity from this point forward… These are clearly some of the most pure, expressive and refined examples of Cru Beaujolais to be found in the region, and the domaine clearly deserves to be more widely known amongst the Beaujolais cognoscenti.”  —John Gilman, View from the Cellar #28

In 1821 the mayor of Chénas, Jean-Marie Loron, began exporting the wines of Beaujolais and Mâcon around the world. After taking over the business some years later, Jean-Marie’s son married one of the daughters of the Charlet family in 1852. Her family owned the Clos de Billards vineyard in Saint Amour and, following the marriage, the two businesses merged. By the 1900’s the Loron family was one of the most famous négotiants in Beaujolais, with holdings in almost all of the famous crus. Unlike other négotiants, however, the individual domaines continued to produce their wine independently using the traditional methods they always had. Six generations later, this venerable family is still firmly rooted in the region and still producing outstanding Beaujolais. The individual domaines are run by Xavier and Gregory Barbet or their family members, all of whom are direct descendents of the original owners. Each winery is run independently and the wines are bottled at each domaine: Domaine des Billards, Château de Fleurie, X. & N. Barbet, and Château de la Pierre. Loron has many relationships with growers throughout Beaujolais and Mâcon and they have purhcased fruit for many generations from the same families for the Beau! and Loron Macon and Pouilly-Fuisse wines. 

The Beaujolais region is finally getting the recognition it deserves and the Loron wines are perfect examples; these are impressive wines with surprising complexity and elegance. They would not be out of place in any collector’s cellar, nor on the table with your next meal. Luckily, good Beaujolais is still one of the great values in French wine. Although delicious when young, the wines are incredibly age-worthy. A recent tasting of wines ranging back into the mid-1970’s showed great intensity and complexity without any sign of fatigue.

There is a personal connection for us too:

"Owner Xavier Barbet is my wife’s first cousin and I have spent many a good time with him and his family. It was he-with four cases of cru Beaujolais as a wedding gift-who got me into wine, and I am very happy and excited to be able to work together." – David Bowler

Image Producer PRODUCT Description Country / Region

DB0119-21
Sustainable
Loron Mâcon-Villages "La Crochette"
2021
Chardonnay
100% Chardonnay grown in a limestone-clay soil from vineyards in Viré-Clessé and west of the village of Mâcon. The "La Crochette" is...
France

DB0119-22
Sustainable
Loron Mâcon-Villages "La Crochette"
2022
Chardonnay
100% Chardonnay grown in a limestone-clay soil from vineyards in Viré-Clessé and west of the village of Mâcon. The "La Crochette" is...
France

DB0120-20
Sustainable
Loron Pouilly-Fuissé "Les Vieux Murs"
2020
Chardonnay
The grapes for this wine come from two sites that cover nine hectares total. The grapes from the village of Fuissé give the wine elegance...
France

DB0120-21
Sustainable
Loron Pouilly-Fuissé "Les Vieux Murs"
2021
Chardonnay
The grapes for this wine come from two sites that cover nine hectares total. The grapes from the village of Fuissé give the wine elegance...
France