Benedicte & Stephane Tissot Arbois Savagnin, Jura, France

From the Jura’s iconic terroirs of En Spois and La Vasée comes the 2018 Arbois Savagnin, a wine that pays homage to the region’s ancient traditions while expressing the distinctive artistry of Bénédicte and Stéphane Tissot. Planted between 1968 and 2000 and farmed biodynamically, these 2.3 hectares yield fewer than 10,000 bottles annually, each shaped by extended barrel aging under a veil of yeast. This is a wine of power, earth, and complexity, offering an experience that feels deeply rooted in both soil and process.

Product Details:

• Grape Variety: 100% Savagnin
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Vineyard Sites: En Spois and La Vasée (2.3 ha total)
• Farming: Certified biodynamic (Demeter)
• Aging: 30 months in oak barrels under a veil of yeast, without topping up
• Production: ~10,000 bottles annually
• Winemakers: Bénédicte & Stéphane Tissot

Sensory Description:

This Savagnin shows a deep orange hue, slightly cloudy from its oxidative aging, with aromas that blend quince paste, yellow flowers, and earthy clay minerality. On the palate, it is richly textured and rustic, framed by marked tannins and a characteristic bitter finish. Subtle notes of yeast and dried fruit reveal its extended élevage under voile, making this a wine as much about its process as its grape variety. Complex, thought-provoking, and undeniably Jura.

Winemaker's Background:

Domaine Tissot, founded in the 1960s by André and Mireille Tissot, has become a benchmark estate in the Jura, now managed by Bénédicte and Stéphane Tissot. With 45 hectares across Arbois and Côtes du Jura, the domaine is fully committed to biodynamic farming and minimal-intervention winemaking. Stéphane, a visionary who once worked with Brown Brothers in Australia, returned home in 1989 and quickly shifted the estate toward organic (1999) and biodynamic certification (2004). His passion for authenticity and terroir expression drives the domaine’s diverse range of wines, from traditional oxidative whites to amphora-fermented experiments, all rooted in a deep respect for Jura’s heritage.

Serving Suggestions:

Best enjoyed between 14–16°C, this Savagnin pairs beautifully with Jura’s classic cuisine such as Comté cheese, mushroom dishes, and poultry with cream sauce. Its earthy intensity and oxidative style also complement rich seafood, charcuterie, and spiced vegetarian dishes. Decant for one hour to allow the wine to fully open. Cellar-worthy for a decade or more, this is a wine for collectors and adventurous palates alike.

The 2018 Bénédicte & Stéphane Tissot Arbois Savagnin stands as a singular expression of Jura winemaking, combining traditional élevage with biodynamic precision. It is a bottle that speaks both of place and process, offering depth, intrigue, and lasting character.