tradition.
liberté.
au bord de l'eau.
Pascal and Evelyne Clairet founded Domaine de la Tournelle in 1991 in a townhouse by the River Cuisance. Since Pascal's passing in 2021, Evelyne continues their work—making natural wines that honor Jurassic terroir while pioneering new paths. She plays double bass and piano, serves homemade terrines in the garden Bistrot, and co-owns Antidote wine bar in London. ♫
"Je vois le verre à moitié plein"
When climate change threatened the sensitive Poulsard grape, Evelyne's response captured the domaine's spirit: "We must simply adapt and think of solutions to be able to continue with this grape. I see the glass half full, not half empty." This optimism drives everything—organic farming since day one, certified in 2010, biodynamic practices, hand destemming, and an unwavering commitment to zero sulfur in wines like the legendary Uva Arbosiana.
"Working with their hands, far from the image of organic farming with parcels left fallow—here, it's with minimal mechanization, prioritizing the pickaxe."
— On the Clairet's approach to viticulture
Both qualified oenologists, Pascal and Evelyne were among the first true working partnerships in the Jura wine world. Pascal managed the vineyards until his death in May 2021; Evelyne now continues alone, raising four children while maintaining the domaine's exacting standards. Their early work with Pierre Overnoy shaped their natural wine philosophy.
No added sulfur since 1994 for many cuvées. Indigenous yeasts only. Hand destemming. No fining, no filtration. Grapes sorted in small baskets. Gentle pneumatic pressing. Élevage in old barrels and foudres—never new wood. Weekly ouillage. The goal: healthy, ripe grapes allowing natural vinification.
Jurassic marls & heavy gravels
The vineyards sit on early Jurassic grey marl clays and Lias marl with heavy gravel deposits. Soils are channeled, grapes and soils are pampered. Vines are severely pruned in simple and double Guyot to limit yields—rarely reaching 35 hectoliters per hectare even on "easier" cuvées. The result is concentration, minerality, and wines of rare precision.
- Les Corvées Heavy gravel on Lias marl — Trousseau, Chardonnay
- Monteiller Early Jurassic grey marl clays — Ploussard
- Les Griottes Chardonnay on clay and marl
- Cul du Brey Red and white vines on Jurassic soils
- Manual Labor Hand destemming, minimal mechanization, pioche work
"The grapes are laid on wooden racks and stainless steel grids in a well-ventilated barn for higher concentration by drying. A drying period of 2 to 6 months obtains a potential minimum alcohol degree of 23°."
— On the Vin de Paille tradition
From Vin Jaune to carbonic Ploussard
Tournelle honors Arbois traditions—Vin Jaune, Vin de Paille, Macvin—while pioneering new paths. The Fleur de Savagnin (ouillé style) was among the first in the region (1994). The Uva Arbosiana reinvented Ploussard with carbonic maceration and zero sulfur, becoming a natural wine icon.
Terre de Gryphées (Chardonnay on clay/marl) and Les Corvées sous Curon (Chardonnay on gravel) represent the domaine's classic still white wines—mineral, layered, and age-worthy. All wines are bottled without filtration and with minimal or zero sulfur, preserving the living nature of the juice.
Bistrot de la Tournelle & Antidote London
In 2006, the Clairets opened a summer Bistrot in their back garden—a peaceful, bucolic setting by the Cuisance where visitors enjoy glasses of Uva and plates of Evelyne's homemade terrines. The success led to Antidote Wine Bar in London's Soho (2011), co-founded with five friends, bringing natural Jura wines to Newburgh Street.
Open Monday-Saturday 5pm-9pm in season. A quiet terrace by the water, serving tapas and natural wines. Evelyne prepares terrines each week in between vineyard work, raising children, and playing double bass. A true family extension of the domaine.
12A Newburgh Street, Soho. Pioneering organic and biodynamic wine bar since 2011, co-owned by Evelyne. Two floors with an outdoor terrace, featuring small artisan producers from France and beyond. "Crazy Mondays" offer bottles at retail prices.
"Evelyne supervises the domaine, opened a wine bar called Bistrot de la Tournelle in her garden, is co-owner of the Antidote wine bar in Soho London, plays piano and double bass, has 4 children... How does she find the time? She serves us delicious homemade terrines with a huge smile."
— On Evelyne's multifaceted life