Producer
Cercié · Beaujolais · France
Christophe Pacalet
In a few words
A Beaujolais vintner who makes lively, precise and deeply fruity Gamay wines with a low-intervention approach.
Origin
Beaujolais · France
Appellation
Several appellations
Grape varieties
Gamay
The producer
Who are they?
Christophe Pacalet created the Les Marcellins estate in 1999 with the help of his uncle Marcel Lapierre, a leading figure in the revival of Beaujolais. Based in Cercié, he works with several appellations in the region, notably selecting parcels of old vines. The grapes are hand-harvested and carefully sorted before a winemaking process that seeks to preserve the fruit and the expression of the terroir. Fermentations rely on native yeasts and interventions are limited. His work produces Gamay wines that are particularly lively, fresh and expressive, allowing a discovery of Beaujolais far from the simplified image it is sometimes given.
Their approach
What sets them apart.
Selected parcels
Christophe Pacalet notably selects parcels of old vines cultivated with the aim of preserving the identity of the grape and its terroir.
Hand-harvested
The grapes are picked by hand, carefully sorted, then transported in small crates to the cellar.
Low-intervention winemaking
Fermentations rely on native yeasts, with carbonic maceration for several cuvées and a very limited use of sulphur.
In the vineyard
What they grow.
Le Premier Verre
Why we follow them.
Because his wines perfectly show what Gamay can offer when fruit, freshness and finesse are favoured over power. Christophe Pacalet is also an excellent gateway to contemporary Beaujolais and its various appellations.
Discover
Their wines.
At the winery
Visit.
Visits
Not open to the public
Online
Official website ↗