Château des Poupets

The estate

About Château des Poupets

Step into the timeless charm of Château des Poupets, a captivating vineyard nestled in the heart of Juliénas, amid the picturesque landscapes of Beaujolais.

Château des Poupets

Step into the timeless charm of Château des Poupets, a captivating vineyard nestled in the heart of Juliénas, amid the picturesque landscapes of Beaujolais.

Les Poupets — Juliénas

At the lieu-dit Les Poupets on the D17 above Juliénas village, this storied estate blends tradition, history, and winemaking artistry. About three hectares of meticulously tended Gamay embrace a splendid nineteenth-century house — the former country residence of a Lyon silk manufacturer — radiating refined elegance. The estate traces its story to 1847; the Jorcin family has stewarded it since 1933. A hallmark of the craft is the grillage technique, where immersed marc-cap treatment draws out deep colour and velvety tannins. A vaulted cellar cradles forty oak barrels. Since 2011, the château has offered a charming bed and breakfast, inviting visitors to be part of its rich heritage.

01

Our legacy of excellence

Les Poupets is a named locality within Juliénas — one of the cru’s principal lieux-dits — and the château stands on that ridge with the chapel at the summit. Before 1933 the house belonged to a Lyon silk manufacturer; that year Nicole Jorcin’s father-in-law purchased it, bringing the property into the Jorcin family. This legacy of a grand bourgeois country residence, attached to a small but devoted vineyard, has been carefully cultivated over generations.

02

A symphony of tradition and innovation

Step into the heart of our estate, and you’ll find a meticulous fusion of tradition and innovation. Our vineyards, lovingly tended by generations, yield grapes that reflect the unique terroir of our region. The art of winemaking here is a dance between timeless techniques and modern craftsmanship, resulting in wines that bridge the gap between heritage and progress.

A symphony of tradition and innovation

Our legacy of excellence

1933

The Jorcin family arrives

1975

Nicole takes the helm

2011

Doors open to guests

2021

In memory of Nicole

Nicole Jorcin at the door of Château des Poupets

The house, and those who keep it

Nicole Jorcin

When Dominique Jorcin died in 1975, his wife Nicole took responsibility for the estate — and became the figure most closely associated with Château des Poupets for the next half-century. The welcome at the door, the memory of the house, and a quiet constancy carried the domaine from one vintage to the next, alongside a father-and-son team of local winegrowers and a long relationship with Georges Duboeuf. Nicole Jorcin, née Lacroix (1929–2021), welcomed guests here until the end of her life.

Meet the vineyardist

Éric Jorcin

Éric Jorcin is the vineyardist and steward of Château des Poupets today. His professional viticultural activity is documented from 2008; he continues the family tradition on roughly three hectares of Gamay at Les Poupets, with the same grillage craft and barrel-ageing in the vaulted cellar below the house.

Éric Jorcin

01

A life rooted in the vineyards

Éric’s journey into the world of viticulture began at a young age, nurtured by a family tradition of winemaking. Born and raised in the Beaujolais region, he inherited not just the knowledge of the land but also the love for the delicate art of vine cultivation. Over the years, Éric has honed his skills, mastering both the traditional techniques passed down through generations and the innovative methods that allow Château des Poupets to stay at the forefront of winemaking.

02

A master of the terroir

Éric’s expertise lies in his profound understanding of the terroir — the soil, climate, and unique characteristics of the vineyard. Under his careful watch, each plot of vines is tended with meticulous care, ensuring that the grapes ripen to perfection. His intimate knowledge of the land allows him to coax the best qualities from the vines, resulting in wines that are a true expression of the region.

03

A guardian of tradition and innovation

While Éric deeply respects the traditions of winemaking, he is also an advocate for innovation. He embraces modern techniques that enhance the quality of the wine while staying true to the heritage of Château des Poupets. This blend of old and new is what sets our wines apart, offering a harmony of complexity and refinement that appeals to both traditionalists and modern wine enthusiasts alike.

Les Poupets — Juliénas

Our legacy of excellence

  1. 1847

    A story the family traces to this year

    The estate’s own tradition dates its origins to 1847 — though what precisely happened that year, and whether the present house was built then, remains part of family memory rather than documented record.

  2. 1933

    The Jorcin family arrives

    Nicole Jorcin’s father-in-law purchases the château, bringing Les Poupets into the Jorcin family. The house had previously belonged to a Lyon silk manufacturer — a grand country residence, not a simple winegrower’s farmhouse.

  3. 1959

    Les Poupets in the wine trade

    A surviving bottle labelled “Dr. Jorcin – Juliénas Les Poupets – 1959” links the Jorcin name, the lieu-dit and Juliénas wine by the late 1950s.

  4. 1975

    Nicole takes the helm

    After the death of Dominique Jorcin, his wife Nicole assumes responsibility for the estate, assisted by a father-and-son team of local winegrowers — the beginning of the era most visitors remember.

  5. 1980s

    Grillage, barrels, and Duboeuf

    Roughly one-third of production is vinified using grillage; wines mature in about forty barrels in the vaulted cellar. Georges Duboeuf purchases from the estate over many years.

  6. 2008

    The next generation

    Éric Jorcin’s professional activity as a vine grower in Juliénas is independently documented from this year.

  7. 2011

    Doors open to guests

    The château opens its bed and breakfast. Nicole and Brigitte Jorcin welcome visitors with tastings and wine sales — the house itself becomes part of the domaine’s identity.

  8. 2015

    International recognition

    The 2014 Château des Poupets Juliénas receives 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, published in 2015.

  9. 2021

    In memory of Nicole

    Nicole Jorcin, née Lacroix (1929–2021), dies on 4 November. Her funeral is held at Juliénas, closing a chapter she had carried since 1975.

  10. Today

    Éric continues the tradition

    Éric Jorcin stewards the vineyard and family tradition at Les Poupets. The wines remain associated with Georges Duboeuf, and guests are still welcome among the Gamay vines above Juliénas.

Château des Poupets

Visit Château des Poupets today

Embark on an unforgettable experience. Taste Cru Juliénas, walk the vines, and stay in a nineteenth-century silk-manufacturer’s country house above Juliénas village.

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