Laure & BenjaminArtisans of Living Wine
From agriculture and ski resorts to the golden stones of southern Beaujolais—farming 3.5 hectares with horses, cultivating 115-year-old Gamay vines on steep slopes, and crafting wines with zero additives since 2012.
From ski resorts to the Pierres Dorées—how a couple settled in Cogny in 2012 to practice "sans cochonneries" viticulture.
Laure and Benjamin Yvernay took an unconventional path to winemaking. Before founding their domaine, they worked in agriculture and various ski resorts, acquiring diverse experience that would shape their pragmatic, hands-on approach to viticulture. In 2012, they settled in Cogny, a commune in the southern Beaujolais known as the "Pierres Dorées" (Golden Stones), where iron-rich limestone gives the villages their distinctive warm, golden hue [^2^][^3^].
Their estate comprises 3.5 hectares of vines—primarily 3 hectares of Gamay, plus 5,000 square meters of Chardonnay and 6,000 square meters of Gamaret—planted on the clay-limestone and granitic soils characteristic of the region. A significant portion of their Gamay vines are exceptionally old, with some exceeding 115 years in age, producing concentrated, complex fruit [^1^][^4^].
Certified organic since 2012—the same year they established the domaine—they have cultivated their vines without herbicides or synthetic products from day one. They prepare herbal teas and purins from nettles and field horsetail, allowing them to minimize copper and sulfur treatments to the absolute minimum. Their commitment extends to using horses for plowing, minimizing soil compaction and preserving the delicate vineyard ecosystem [^1^][^2^].
"Sans cochonneries"—without junk. Grapes only, zero sulfur, no filtration, spontaneous fermentation, and climbing gear for harvest.
Laure and Benjamin's philosophy is radical in its simplicity: "sans cochonneries" (without junk). In the cellar, they allow themselves no inputs whatsoever—just grapes. Their wines are vinified using indigenous yeasts through semi-carbonic fermentation, with no chaptalization, no fining, no filtration, and crucially, no added sulfur dioxide at any stage [^1^][^2^].
Their viticulture practices reflect deep respect for the land. The steep slopes where their ancient Gamay vines grow are so precipitous that harvest requires climbing gear—a testament to their commitment to working difficult, old vineyards that machine harvesting could never access. The soil is plowed by horse, avoiding the compaction caused by tractors and maintaining the delicate biological balance of the clay-limestone and granitic soils [^2^][^4^].
The result is wines that are lively, fruit-forward, and deeply reflective of their Beaujolais terroir—often displaying bright acidity, red fruit notes, and a touch of earthy character. Their approach has quickly garnered them a reputation among natural wine enthusiasts globally as proud representatives of southern Beaujolais, creating wines that are sincere and 100% natural [^2^][^21^].
Grapes Only
The Pierres Dorées—golden stone villages south of Lyon where clay-limestone soils and steep granitic slopes produce concentrated Gamay.
Hectares
Approximately 3.5 hectares planted primarily to Gamay (3 ha), with smaller plantings of Chardonnay (5,000 m²) and the rare Swiss grape Gamaret (6,000 m²)—the latter producing deep, spicy wines with remarkable drinkability [^1^][^29^].
Year Old Vines
Significant portions of their Gamay vines were planted over a century ago, with some exceeding 115 years. These old vines, rooted in granitic sand and clay on steep slopes, produce naturally low yields of highly concentrated fruit [^2^][^4^].
Power
The domaine employs horse plowing to minimize soil compaction and respect the delicate ecosystem. Combined with herbal tea preparations (nettle, horsetail), they maintain soil health while reducing copper and sulfur inputs to the absolute minimum [^2^].
From 115-year-old vine Gamay to rare Gamaret and Chardonnay—pure, unadulterated expressions of the Pierres Dorées.
De Dame et d'Homme
The flagship cuvée—named after a French song title expressing the balance between feminine and masculine qualities that Gamay can achieve. Fermented semi-carbonically with indigenous yeasts, aged in large old barrels. Shows juicy strawberry, blackberry, and blackcurrant with bright acidity and a touch of earthy funk. No filtration, no sulfur—pure, drinkable Beaujolais that captures the essence of the Pierres Dorées terroir [^16^][^17^].
Les Oiseaux
A blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir offering aromatic complexity and high aging potential. Bursting with blueberry, cherry, and wild red fruits, this cuvée combines the liveliness of Gamay with the structure of Pinot. Fresh, vibrant, and deeply mineral—a wine that bridges Beaujolais and Burgundy sensibilities while remaining utterly natural [^25^][^26^].
La Petiote
From the rare Gamaret grape (a Swiss cross between Gamay and Reichensteiner), this unusual cuvée displays a deep purple color, spicy taste, and melted but present tannins. Remarkably drinkable yet distinctive, offering something truly unique in the Beaujolais landscape. The 2017 vintage shows the variety's potential for depth and complexity [^29^][^31^].
Juste Le Blanc
A Chardonnay full of minerality from the limestone soils of Cogny. Displays beautiful floral notes alongside a freshness reminiscent of lemon throughout the tasting, finishing with a buttery note. Raised without oak influence to preserve purity and terroir expression—proving that Beaujolais Blanc can achieve the same finesse as its more famous neighbors in the Mâconnais [^38^][^40^].
Marlène
Another expression of the domaine's Chardonnay, named and styled with the same zero-additive philosophy. These vines grow on the clay-limestone soils that characterize the Pierres Dorées, offering a different perspective on white Beaujolais—pure, unadorned, and sincere [^30^].
Cuvée Joani / Beau Jojo
From 115-year-old Gamay vines planted on granitic sand and clay, harvested using climbing gear due to the steep slopes. Aged in 2,000-liter old barrels, this cuvée represents the extreme expression of the domaine's old vine heritage—light, fruity, with bright acidity and depth, plus that characteristic touch of earthy funk that defines natural Beaujolais [^34^].
The Vanguard of Pierres Dorées
Laure and Benjamin Yvernay represent the new generation of natural Beaujolais—winemakers who combine deep respect for traditional viticulture (horse plowing, ancient vines) with radical cellar transparency (zero sulfur, no filtration). In a region often associated with industrial production, they prove that Beaujolais can produce wines of profound authenticity and terroir expression [^2^][^8^].
Their decision to work with Gamaret—a nearly unheard-of grape in Beaujolais—alongside their preservation of 115-year-old Gamay vines demonstrates a commitment to biodiversity and heritage. By maintaining these ancient vines on steep, difficult-to-work slopes, they preserve a piece of Beaujolais history that might otherwise be lost to mechanized agriculture. Their "sans cochonneries" approach has made them proud representatives of southern Beaujolais in the natural wine world [^2^][^4^].
- Settled in Cogny 2012 (former ski resort workers)
- Certified organic since establishment
- 3.5 ha in Pierres Dorées (Golden Stones)
- Horse plowing (no tractor compaction)
- 115-year-old Gamay vines
- Steep slopes requiring climbing gear
- Zero added sulfur at any stage
- Semi-carbonic fermentation (traditional)
- No filtration, no fining, no chaptalization
- Herbal tea preparations (nettle, horsetail)
- Gamaret specialist (rare Swiss variety)
- "Sans cochonneries" philosophy
- Natural wine bistro staples globally