Julien Sunier’s journey in the wine industry is a story of passion and perseverance. Originally from Bourgogne, he trained as a winemaker without having a family vineyard to inherit. His career took a turn when he was sent to Beaujolais by Mommesin to initiate their operations in the region. Here, he connected with notable natural winemakers like Lapierre, Thévenet, and Métras, which helped him secure rented vineyards. By 2008, Julien embarked on his own winemaking venture.
Currently, Julien farms 7.5 hectares of organic vineyards located in Regnié, Fleurie, and Morgon. During a visit in 2016, he shared the challenges of organic farming in Beaujolais, highlighting the tough, backbreaking work involved. He noted that many vineyard owners are aging, creating opportunities for younger winemakers, especially as Beaujolais becomes increasingly popular among the new generation.
Julien acknowledges that organic farming is rare in the area due to the difficulties of managing the densely planted bush vines, particularly the labor-intensive manual weed control. He takes pride in his organic methods, despite the higher costs, as he believes the value of his wine doesn’t necessarily reflect this struggle.
In his small winery, Julien utilizes a semi-carbonic method for fermentation, opting for a technique that avoids the risks of losing terroir associated with full carbonic fermentation. He keeps his additions minimal, only adding sulfur dioxide at bottling.
The wines Julien produces are characterized by their elegance and expressiveness, showcasing purity and a true reflection of their terroirs.
Some of his notable wines include:
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Julien Sunier Beaujolais Villages Wild Soul 2022: Exhibiting intense red cherry and raspberry notes with a fresh, vivid palate. Rated 93/100.
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Julien Sunier Fleurie 2022: Fresh and supple with elegant raspberry and cherry fruit, featuring fine tannin and intensity. Rated 95/100.
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Julien Sunier Morgon 2021: Vibrant and fresh, showcasing a wild cherry nose with juicy elegance. Rated 94/100.
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Julien Sunier Régnié 2021: Refined and supple with a sappy edge to red fruits, demonstrating remarkable poise. Rated 94/100.
For more information about Julien Sunier, you can visit his website.