Domaine des Fournelles, Guillaume Dumontet: AOC Brouilly and Côte de Brouilly winemaker

For Guillaume, wine is almost second nature. From a young age, he was already familiar with this world.

Available directly from the estate on Avenue des Vins.

What are the winemaker's origins?

From farming to Domaine des Fournelles

My grandfather and father were farmers, but they also owned vineyards which they regularly took care of. So, I grew up in the agricultural world from childhood: I’ve been driving tractors since I was very young.

After his studies, Guillaume managed a small agricultural services business. However, meeting Mariannick, who would later become his wife, changed everything.

Alain Bernillon, Mariannick’s father, is a winemaker. I often came over to work on his estate.

Guillaume’s involvement in his father-in-law’s property was so significant that Alain Bernillon hired him to work on the family estate: Domaine des Fournelles. Upon his retirement, Alain Bernillon handed over the entire estate to his son-in-law.

Which appellations does the estate produce?

Focus on AOC Brouilly and Côte de Brouilly

Spanning 4 hectares of vines located on the Southeast slope of Mont Brouilly, Domaine des Fournelles focuses solely on two appellations: Brouilly and Côte de Brouilly.

These are two very different appellations,

Guillaume notes. The winemaker is dedicated to extracting the full potential of these two appellations and expressing the uniqueness of their respective terroirs.

Brouilly is the southernmost of the Beaujolais crus. It produces light and fruity wines that can be enjoyed immediately, while Côte de Brouilly wines are tannic and robust with a greater aging potential.

What comes next for the domaine?

A white wine cuvée might soon be introduced

Holding several awards, including the Gold Medal at the Concours Général Agricole in Paris 2015 for the Côte de Brouilly cuvée, Domaine des Fournelles wines are featured on the wine lists of Parisian restaurants such as La Tourelle and Le Nermod. Although the estate's wine range currently includes only reds, Guillaume plans to address this in the near future.

I am currently working with an expert who is analyzing my soils to determine which type of white grape variety I could plant,

the winemaker explains. Initially, he considered Viognier but wants to broaden his options before making a decision… Stay tuned.

Discover the wines of Domaine des Fournelles directly from the estate, at the estate price, in a short supply chain on Avenue des Vins.

Frequently asked questions about Domaine des Fournelles

What is the difference between Brouilly and Côte de Brouilly?

These two neighbouring Beaujolais crus are both made from gamay but taste quite differently. Grown high on Mont Brouilly, Côte de Brouilly yields structured reds that reward some patience, while Brouilly, further south, is enjoyed young for its fruit.

Where is Domaine des Fournelles located?

The estate farms four hectares in Beaujolais, set on the south-east flank of Mont Brouilly. This landmark hill gave its name to the Côte de Brouilly appellation and shapes the character of Guillaume Dumontet's wines.

Who is Guillaume Dumontet, the estate's winemaker?

Raised in a farming family, Guillaume Dumontet first ran an agricultural works business before joining the vineyard of his father-in-law, Alain Bernillon. He took sole charge of Domaine des Fournelles when the latter retired.

Does Domaine des Fournelles make white wine?

For now the range consists only of reds. Guillaume Dumontet is having his soils studied by a specialist to plant a suitable white grape, with viognier among the options he is considering.

Have the wines of Domaine des Fournelles won any awards?

Yes. The Côte de Brouilly cuvée earned a Gold Medal at the Concours Général Agricole in Paris in 2015. The bottles also appear on the lists of Parisian restaurants such as La Tourelle and Le Nermod.