Guy Breton — “Petit Max” of Morgon

Location: Villié-Morgon, Beaujolais, France
Specialty: Natural Cru Beaujolais from Morgon, Régnié, and Fleurie
Farming: Organic, with minimal intervention in the cellar
Notable Wines: Morgon Vieilles Vignes, Régnié, Fleurie, Beaujolais-Villages

A Natural Wine Pioneer in Beaujolais

Guy Breton, affectionately known as “Petit Max,” is one of the legendary “Gang of Four” vignerons who helped revolutionize Beaujolais winemaking in the 1980s. Alongside Marcel Lapierre, Jean Foillard, and Jean-Paul Thévenet, Breton was mentored by the late Jules Chauvet, the father of the natural wine movement in France.

His philosophy? Let the grape and terroir speak. Breton works with old vines (many over 80 years old), grows them organically, and vinifies with the lightest possible touch—no chemical herbicides or pesticides, no industrial yeasts, no chaptalization, no fining or filtration, and little to no sulfur. His wines are pure, joyful, and deeply expressive of place.

The Estate

Breton’s small domaine is based in Villié-Morgon in the heart of the Beaujolais Crus. He farms about 7 hectares, mostly in Morgon, with smaller holdings in Régnié, Fleurie, and Beaujolais-Villages. The vineyards are planted primarily to Gamay, growing on decomposed granite and schist, which give the wines a signature minerality and vibrancy.

The old vines are worked by hand, yields are kept low, and harvest is done manually to ensure careful selection of healthy fruit.

In the Cellar

Guy Breton’s cellar practices follow the natural wine ethos:

• Whole-cluster fermentation with native yeasts

• Semi-carbonic maceration in traditional concrete tanks

• Aging in old Burgundy barrels (228L), sometimes for up to 8–9 months

• Minimal sulfur—only a touch at bottling, if needed

• No fining or filtration, preserving full flavor and texture

The result is wines that are fragrant, light on their feet, but with surprising depth, structure, and age-worthiness.

Signature Wines

Morgon Vieilles Vignes
From 80–100 year-old vines on the Côte du Py and surrounding granite slopes. Earthy, floral, and mineral, this is the estate’s flagship cuvée—age-worthy yet drinkable young.

Régnié
A vibrant, juicy expression of Gamay. Fresh cherry, spice, and a light tannic backbone. Easy to love, but never simple.

Fleurie
A more elegant, floral style. Light-bodied with fine tannins, rose petal aromas, and silky red fruit. Sourced from sandy soils in Fleurie.

Beaujolais-Villages
An entry point to the domaine. Light, fresh, and gulpable—a perfect introduction to Breton’s pure-fruited style.

Why It Matters

Guy Breton's wines are emblematic of what Beaujolais can be: soulful, unadorned, and profoundly satisfying. They’ve earned cult status among natural wine lovers for their drinkability and authenticity. Each bottle is a celebration of Gamay, and of the old-school, honest farming that defines this part of France.

Whether you’re opening a bottle of Régnié on a summer afternoon or cellaring a Morgon for a decade, Breton’s wines offer something rare: joy without compromise.