Philippe Chatillon
Philippe Chatillon spent 18 years as the estate manager at the revered Domaine de La Pinte in Arbois before setting out on his own in 2013. His journey began with a hillside plot of Savagnin in Passenans, soon expanding to include Melon à Queue Rouge, Pinot Noir, Trousseau, and Chardonnay. In a defining moment, he traded his original Savagnin parcel for another that was farmed exclusively under biodynamic principles—cementing his commitment to natural viticulture.
Working entirely by hand, Philippe eschews chemical fertilizers in favor of biodynamic preparations. In the cellar, he relies on old oak barrels, spontaneous fermentations, and bottling without fining or filtration. He even experiments with bio-harmony, using sound vibrations from harps to enhance the wine’s balance—an unconventional but deeply considered approach.
Now a cult figure in the world of Jura wines, Philippe Chatillon crafts bottles of remarkable precision, marked by piercing acidity and layered flavors of yellow plum, citrus, pineapple, and bay leaf. His 2014 vintage was originally destined to become a Vin Jaune, spending six years in barrel under a delicate veil of flor.