Domaine J A Ferret makes Chardonnay Pouilly-Fuissé shaped by four generations of women winemakers and house parcel classifications.
The producer
Domaine J A Ferret has had female winemakers since 185 years ago from current date (→ ~1840), with four generations leading the estate before Maison Louis Jadot acquired it in 2008. Jeanne Ferret created the house's Tête de Cru and Hors Classe categories in the 1970s. The range centers on Pouilly-Fuissé, a Chardonnay appellation, and nearly three quarters of its volume comes from the classic Village wine. The house style is pure, salty and fresh, with acidity intended to carry the wines through many years of ageing.
Known for
Fresh Chardonnay Pouilly-Fuissé
Notable facts
Domaine J A Ferret traces its winemaking to 185 years ago from current date (→ ~1840).
Maison Louis Jadot acquired the estate in 2008.
Jeanne Ferret created the Tête de Cru and Hors Classe categories in the 1970s.
Domaine Ferret achieved organic certification in 2023.
The story
Jeanne Ferret's House Categories
In the 1970s, Jeanne Ferret created two categories for Domaine Ferret's wines, Tête de Cru and Hors Classe. Tête de Cru marked a level equivalent to Premier Cru, while Hors Classe marked a level equivalent to Grand Cru. They were the domaine's own terms, not official Pouilly-Fuissé classifications. The distinction let the estate name its top parcel wines on its own hierarchy while the wider appellation still lacked official Premier Cru status. Pouilly-Fuissé received official Premier Cru classification 50 years later, in 2020. Domaine Ferret still uses Jeanne Ferret's categories today.
From the atlas
Domaine J A Ferret
Domaine J A Ferret makes Chardonnay Pouilly-Fuissé in Bourgogne, with a female winemaking history and house classifications created in the 1970s.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Bourgogne
Appellation
Pouilly-Fuissé
Main grape
Chardonnay
House style
Pure, salty, fresh whites with acidity for ageing
The Producer
Domaine J A Ferret traces its winemaking to 185 years ago from current date (→ ~1840) and was led by four generations of women before Maison Louis Jadot acquired it in 2008. Colette Ferret took over in 1993 as the last family member to lead the estate. Audrey Braccini directed winemaking after the acquisition, continuing the domaine's unbroken tradition of female winemakers.
The domaine achieved organic certification in 2023. Its wines are made to retain freshness and acidity while ageing well for many years.
Place
Pouilly-Fuissé belongs to the Mâconnais in Bourgogne and is built around Chardonnay. The appellation's official hierarchy arrived after Domaine Ferret had already created its own terms.
In the 1970s, Jeanne Ferret created Tête de Cru for wines equivalent to Premier Cru and Hors Classe for wines equivalent to Grand Cru. These are Domaine Ferret categories, not the official classification itself. Pouilly-Fuissé received official Premier Cru classification 50 years later, in 2020. Domaine Ferret now has 22 parcels classified as Premiers Crus.
Wines
Nearly three quarters of Domaine Ferret's volume comes from the entry level classic Pouilly-Fuissé Village, a blend drawn from vineyards not reserved for wines from one vineyard.
Domaine Ferret Pouilly-Fuissé 2022 is a white wine from the Mâconnais. Its élevage is divided equally between stainless steel and oak, followed by 10 months on the lees. Lees ageing can soften the texture and broaden the middle of a white wine while preserving its freshness.
In The Glass
Pouilly-Fuissé is riper and richer than northern Burgundy while keeping freshness. The 2022 bottling opens with citrus blossom, green apple, lemon zest and almond. White peach and a creamy center fill the middle of the palate, while minerality and firm acidity carry citrus and almond through the finish.
A Bottle To Understand It
Choose Domaine J A Ferret Pouilly-Fuissé 2022. It places Chardonnay and the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation together in the estate's broadest address, with élevage split between stainless steel and oak. The bottle comes before the separate Tête de Cru and Hors Classe categories, allowing the house hierarchy to be read from its broad base upward.
Final Word
Domaine J A Ferret makes pure, salty, fresh Pouilly-Fuissé with acidity that allows the wines to age well for many years.