Les Marnes Blanches – Pure, Terroir-Driven Wines from Sainte-Agnès, Jura

Les Marnes Blanches is a celebrated young domaine nestled in the village of Sainte-Agnès, just south of Lons-le-Saunier in the Jura region. Founded in 2011 by the skilled husband-and-wife team Pauline and Géraud Fromont, the domaine has quickly gained acclaim for producing wines that are precise, pure, and deeply expressive of their unique terroir.

A Philosophy Rooted in Respect for Nature and Minimal Intervention

From the very beginning, Les Marnes Blanches has been certified organic (Ecocert), with a strong focus on nurturing soil health and fostering biodiversity well beyond standard organic practices. The domaine’s name honors the distinctive white marl soils (“Les Marnes Blanches”) that shape the character of their vineyards, alongside other Jura soils like grey and blue marls.

Winemaking with a Light Touch

  • Hand-Harvesting & Sorting: Grapes are carefully hand-picked and sorted to ensure quality.

  • Spontaneous Fermentation: All wines ferment naturally with indigenous yeasts.

  • No Fining or Filtration: Wines are left unfined and unfiltered to preserve their authenticity and texture.

  • Minimal Sulfur Use: Sulfur additions are kept to an absolute minimum, often avoided altogether, to maintain purity.

  • Aging: Wines mature primarily in older foudres and demi-muids, allowing slow development without overpowering oak influence.

Signature “Ouillé” Whites

Les Marnes Blanches is especially known for its “ouillé” style white wines made from Chardonnay and Savagnin. These wines showcase a crisp, fresh, and mineral-driven profile, highlighting the purity and precision of their Jura terroir without oxidative notes.

Classic Jura Varieties

Pauline and Géraud cultivate Jura’s traditional grape varieties, including Chardonnay, Savagnin, Poulsard, Trousseau, and Pinot Noir. Their wines, often crafted from select vineyard parcels, have become highly sought-after for their authenticity and refined expression of the region.

Where to Find Les Marnes Blanches Wines (Jura, France)

Online Retailers (Global & EU Focus)

Wine-Searcher.com **Your primary resource for global availability and pricing.** Search for "Les Marnes Blanches" to find merchants listing their wines.
Buvance (Online, France/Europe) A key online merchant for natural wines, frequently stocking a good selection of Les Marnes Blanches, including popular Chardonnay and Savagnin cuvées.
Petites Caves (Online, France/Europe) Another excellent French online shop specializing in natural wines, with a regularly updated inventory of Les Marnes Blanches' diverse range.
**Specialized Natural Wine Shops Online:** Given their popularity, many online retailers globally focusing on organic, biodynamic, and natural wines will carry Les Marnes Blanches, though stock can be limited due to high demand.

International Retailers & Distributors (Examples by Region)

  • **France (Jura & Beyond):**
    • **Winery Direct Sales & Visits:** Les Marnes Blanches is located at **840 Route du Crêt, 39190 Sainte-Agnès, France**. As a small, artisanal domaine, visits are typically by appointment only. It's best to contact Pauline and Géraud Fromont directly in advance.
      Email: contact@lesmarnesblanches.fr
      Phone: +33 6 82 25 31 16
    • **Specialized Wine Shops (Cavistes) & Restaurants:** Widely sought after in natural wine-focused shops and restaurants across France, especially in the Jura region and major cities.
  • **United States:**
    • **Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant (Importer):** A highly respected and long-standing importer of fine French wines, Kermit Lynch represents Les Marnes Blanches in the US. Their website provides producer information and details on US distributors in various states (kermitlynch.com).
    • **Chambers Street Wines (NYC):** A renowned natural wine shop that frequently stocks Les Marnes Blanches wines (chambersstwines.com).
    • **Astor Wines & Spirits (NYC):** Another large, well-regarded retailer in NYC that often carries Les Marnes Blanches wines (astorwines.com).
    • **Specialty Natural Wine Retailers:** Look for independent wine shops in major metropolitan areas that emphasize natural, organic, and traditional French wines from the Jura. Retailers that work with Kermit Lynch are most likely to stock Les Marnes Blanches.
  • **United Kingdom:**
    • **Gergovie Wines (Importer/Retailer):** A significant UK importer and retailer specializing in natural wines, frequently stocking Les Marnes Blanches (gergovie.co.uk).
    • **The Good Wine Shop (Retailer):** Has listed Les Marnes Blanches wines previously (goodwineshop.co.uk).
    • **Independent Natural Wine Merchants:** Les Marnes Blanches is highly popular in the UK natural wine scene; check with dedicated shops in London and other cities.
  • **Germany:**
    • **Viniculture (Importer/Retailer):** A well-known natural wine importer in Germany that often features Les Marnes Blanches in their portfolio. Inquire with them or their partner retailers (viniculture.de).
    • **Weinakademie Berlin (Retailer):** Often lists Les Marnes Blanches wines (weinakademie-berlin.de).
    • *Look for other specialized importers of high-quality French organic/natural wines.*
  • **Australia:**
    • **Living Wines (Importer):** A prominent importer of natural wines into Australia, representing Les Marnes Blanches. Inquire with Australian retailers who stock from Living Wines (livingwines.com.au).