Yann Bertrand
Beaujolais

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  • Yann Bertrand

  • Fleurie
    Beaujolais, France

  • Certified Organic
    Biodynamic (Being Certified)

Yann Bertrand’s philosophy is simple; attain the most beautiful balance possible for the soil, as a soil with good equilibrium will produce a grape that represents the terroir where it is grown. 

The Bertrand estate was established in the 1950s by Louis Bertrand. In the early 90’s the estate was split between Louis’s two sons. Yann, Louis’s grandson, took over from his parents Guy & Annick in 2013. 

Les Bertrand is located in a special part of Beaujolais called ‘Grand-pré’. A section that straddles the crus of both Fleurie and Morgon, rich in sandy granitic soil. The wines are uniquely different from these two appellations, despite the vines being next to each other.

Farming in organics began back in 2005, with certification taking place in 2013. The estate now encompasses 9 hectares under vine, 7.5 in production, with 2022 marking ten years since Yann took over from his parents. At the beginning of his tenure Yann isolated two parcels (Fleurie Chaos and Morgon Dynamite) and employed biodynamic farming practices only, on them. Analysis was done every year, the soils were teeming with life and when we spoke about it during my visit in 2023, it had also resulted in healthier ferments. As a result, all farming at Bertrand is now biodynamic.

The grapes are manually harvested and sorted. In the cellar vinification is cold carbonic and semi carbonic maceration at 10–12 degrees with natural yeasts in large concrete vats. Depending on the cuvee, élevage occurs in old barrels and demi-muds for 6–10 months. Bottling is done in Spring according to the moon, all wines are un-fined and unfiltered. 

2023 also marked the first vintage the wines were vinified in Yann’s new cellar. 

The Wines

  • Varietal Gamay
    Colour Red

    Sourced from 2 parcels Morgon: Lieu-dit Javernieres in Corcelles and a 0.75-hectare plot, Lancie, a little further north. Vines aged between 40–80 years of age on granitic soil with coarse sand. Concrete only.

  • Varietal Gamay
    Colour Red

    From the Basty’s vineyard, 15-year-old vines planted on deep sandy granitic soil at 500 meters altitude in Lantignié, on the edge of the Régnié appellation. Classified as Beaujolais Village, but it is suspected that Lantignie will be designated the 11th Cru imminently. Carbonic maceration for 20 days, élevage in used barrels (40%) and concrete vat for 8 months.

  • Varietal Gamay
    Colour Red

    A parcel of 1.2 hectares, a mix of vine age from 10 to 50+ years planted on granitic sandy soil. Élevaged for 8 months in a third old barrels and two thirds vat. 

  • Varietal Gamay
    Colour Red

    This 1.1-hectare vineyard has been farmed with biodynamic principles since 2013. The vines range from 45 to 70 years planted on sandy grantic soil. Élevage in a mix of old barriques and Demi-muds (of at least 6+ years of age) for 10 months, followed by an additional 11 months in bottle prior to release. 

  • Varietal Gamay
    Colour Red

    A 1.2-hectare site comprised of 60+ year old vines planted on sandy granite and schist soils rich in iron oxide. Élevage in a mix of old barriques and Demi-muds (of at least 6+ years of age) for 10 months, followed by an additional 11 months in bottle prior to release. 

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