Renaud Boyer is a natural winemaker based in Meursault, Burgundy, France, managing 3 hectares of organic and biodynamic vineyards since 2004. Born into a conventional winemaking family in Meursault, known for its Chardonnay, Boyer initially pursued engineering and chemistry but shifted to viticulture after training with natural wine pioneers like Pierre Overnoy (Jura), Patrick Meyer (Alsace), and Philippe Jambon (Beaujolais). In 2004, he took over his uncle Thierry Guyot’s vineyards in Saint-Romain, certified organic and biodynamic since 1986, marking the start of his venture. His vineyards now span Saint-Romain, Beaune, and Puligny-Montrachet, producing sulfite-free, village-level wines that rival Burgundy’s grand crus in quality.

Winemaking Philosophy

• Organic and Biodynamic Viticulture: Boyer’s 3 hectares are certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Demeter), free of synthetic chemicals since 1986. Vines, some over 80 years old (Chardonnay) and 50 years old (Pinot Noir), are hand-harvested, with horse-drawn plows used in Saint-Romain and Puligny-Montrachet. Soils range from limestone-rich (Saint-Romain, Puligny-Montrachet) to clay-marl (Beaune’s Les Prévolles), imparting minerality and spice.

• Natural Winemaking: Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, whole-cluster vinification, no filtration, no fining, and no added sulfites since 2008. Chardonnays are pressed slowly (6–7 hours), and Pinot Noirs undergo 3-week whole-bunch maceration with minimal intervention (one pigeage, no pump-overs). Wines age 8–24 months in old 228-liter Burgundian barrels, followed by equal bottle aging to stabilize without sulfites, per Overnoy’s advice.

• Grape Varieties and Cuvées:

  • Whites: Chardonnay (Bourgogne Les Riaux Blanc, Saint-Romain Blanc, Puligny-Montrachet Les Reuchaux), Aligoté (Bourgogne Aligoté since 2020). Notes of citrus, stone fruit, and minerality.

  • Reds: Pinot Noir (Bourgogne Les Riaux Rouge, Saint-Romain Rouge, Beaune Les Prévolles), Passetoutgrain (Bourgogne Passetoutgrain). Wild berries, spice, and iron-laced minerality.

  • Notable Cuvées: SR (Saint-Romain) and PM (Puligny-Montrachet) when rejected by appellation authorities (e.g., 2017), labeled as Vin de France. Les Prévolles (Beaune) is spicy due to clay-marl soils.

• Terroir: Limestone-dominated soils with marine fossils (Saint-Romain, Puligny-Montrachet) and clay-marl (Beaune) at 200–400 meters elevation. Southeast to southwest exposures enhance fruit ripeness and complexity.

Background

• Founder: Renaud Boyer, a Meursault native, transitioned from engineering to winemaking, studying viticulture and oenology in Beaune and interning in South Africa. His uncle Thierry Guyot, a biodynamic pioneer, and mentors like Overnoy shaped his natural approach.

• Vision: To craft pure, living wines reflecting terroir and vintage without additives, prioritizing vineyard health (90% of wine quality comes from the vineyard). Boyer avoids appellation constraints, bottling as Vin de France when needed (e.g., SR, PM).

• Scale: Small production (3 hectares) yields limited cuvées, highly sought-after due to quality and sulfite-free purity.

• Challenges: In 2017, his wines were rejected by Burgundy’s appellation board for their unconventional style, leading to Vin de France labels (SR, PM). Mouse taint in 2017 was a hurdle, but Boyer’s sulfite-free expertise, honed since 2008, minimizes such risks. Appellation approval resumed in 2018.

Recognition

• Retailers like Cave Pur Jus compare Boyer’s style to Henri Frédéric Roch, praising his refined, pure wines and Japanese-designed labels (by his wife).