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