Les Bottes Rouges, natural wines from the Jura
Jean-Baptiste Ménigoz founded his winery, Les Bottes Rouges, in 2011, as a tribute to the band Les Wampas and their song of the same name. In just a few years, he has turned his small 3-hectare vineyard in Abergement-le-Petit into a leading producer of natural wines in the Jura.
Organic farming (of course!) and natural winemaking for all his wines. The Léon (Chardonnay) and Léon (Pinot Noir) wines are the best known, but Jean-Baptiste also cultivates the Jura’s iconic grape varieties: Poulsard, Trousseau and Savagnin.
From school to the vineyards
Originally a primary school teacher, Jean-Baptiste Ménigoz initially began tending a few acres of vines with his friend Raphaël Monnier (Domaine Ratapoil). It started as a hobby, making wine for friends and family. Ten years later, he established his own estate, initially running it part-time before devoting himself to it full-time. He was joined in 2014 by his partner, Florien Kleine.