Karim Vionnet, the Arab in the Pinards!

Karim Vionnet produces wines in the Beaujolais region that reflect his own character: natural and unpretentious. He learnt the art of winemaking in the footsteps of those whom the English-speaking press dubbed ‘the Morgon gang’. The pioneers of natural wine in the 1980s: Marcel Lapierre, Jean Foillard, Guy Breton, Jean-Paul Thévenet and a few others.

After spending several years learning the trade under Guy Breton, known as ‘P’tit Max’, Karim struck out on his own in the mid-2000s. In 2020, his daughter Noémie joined him at the estate to carry on the family business. And more recently, his son Quentin has joined the family venture.

The story of Karim Vionnet

Placed in foster care and adopted by a family in Villié-Morgon when he was just 17 months old, Karim Vionnet is a local boy. A true local. He learnt the values of work and life, whilst grappling with the weight of his first name in a cultural environment that was at times too ‘French’. Karim has been through the mill, yet has lost none of his joie de vivre or his energy. You can sense it in his wines.

Natural wines from an independent winemaker

Karim Vionnet’s vineyards are located mainly in the communes of Quincié, Beaujeu and Lantignié. These plots are situated midway up the hillsides and feature a wide variety of soil types depending on the specific plot: marl, schist and sand. Karim is not certified organic, but his viticulture is entirely natural. No use is made of plant protection products, pesticides or other such substances. He maintains a rich organic life in his soils, prioritising the enhancement of his terroir. The same approach is taken in the cellar, with winemaking as natural as possible: indigenous yeasts, no added sugar and virtually no sulphites.

A Bit of Butter in the Wine

As if to thumb his nose at his critics, Karim Vionnet created a wine in 2011 that tells his story: *Du Beur dans les Pinards*. It is made from grapes grown on a plot that once belonged to Jules Chauvet.

A few photos of the Karim Vionnet estate

Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to health; please drink in moderation.
In accordance with the Public Health Code, wines, sweet wines and beers have an alcohol content of between 3% and 18%