Marc Delienne, the new face of natural wines in Fleurie

A newcomer to winemaking in Fleurie, Marc Delienne is already a leading figure in the natural wine scene within the appellation and across the Beaujolais region. Having always been passionate about wine whilst pursuing a career in IT and banking, Marc decided to take his passion to the next level by moving from the glass to the vineyard.

After gaining experience at the Domaine de Trevallon alongside Eloi Durbach and then Alain Graillot at the Domaine de Fa, he acquired around ten hectares in Fleurie in 2015.

Marc Delienne: a deep respect for nature and the local terroir

No sooner had he settled in than Marc Delienne immediately converted his estate to organic farming, whilst also applying biodynamic principles – a natural choice to ensure the soil’s memory remains undisturbed. The vines are trained using the goblet method and are kept at a notably high height, inspired by Lalou Bize Leroy’s approach.

Conditions are difficult and sometimes extreme, particularly on the vertiginous Madone plot. The work with the winch and the pickaxe takes its toll on the men who labour there, but the values of respect for nature, the soil, the vines and the terroir are stronger. No matter the difficulties and trials that nature imposes: Marc Delienne sees viticulture as a form of resistance against the erosion of time and the weakening of the bond with the land.

A bespoke cellar designed to reflect the winemaker’s unique style

The winery was built from scratch when the estate was taken over. Concrete vats, demi-muids and Austrian oak casks are used in tandem to bring out the very essence of the grapes. The wines are made using natural methods, without any additives, except for a small amount of sulphites where necessary.

It’s hard to say exactly how many vintages it takes before a winemaker can be said to have developed a distinctive style, but Marc Delienne’s wines already display a clear guiding principle: vibrant fruit, rich textures, fine tannins and airy structures; they possess incredible energy, very much in the spirit of Jean-Louis Dutraive, his mentor in the appellation. Each cuvée has its own identity, yet a vibrant signature unites them all.

Fleurie: divine landscapes for wines with a delightful bouquet

A few photos of the Marc Delienne estate

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