Domaine de Bellevue produces about 120,000 bottles annually from its 22 hectare estate. But everything else about it seems small and intimate.
The Pétillat family owned and operated the Domaine for four generations. Several years ago, Jean-Louis sold the estate to Jacques Gautier but continued to manage the estate and winemaking. Jean-Louis retired last year and Jacques has installed a new vigneron.
Legend has it that Saint-Pourçain is France's oldest vineyard. There is evidence of Roman winemaking here as early as 50 BCE. In the middle ages, Saint-Pourçain was one of the most respected and sought after wines in France. Kings and Popes enjoyed them. Some believe the wines were more highly prized than Burgundy.
Classified as part of the Loire Valley despite being on the far southeast outskirts (not far from Macon in Burgundy). The appellation was granted AOC status in 2009. There are less than 20 growers here.
