La Maison En Belles Lies is the culmination of an amazing life journey by Pierre Fenals, a journey that teaches us that it is never too late to realise one's dreams. After studying organic chemistry and molecular biochemistry at university, Pierre first worked for some pharmaceutical laboratories and then accompanied his wife on a professional fashion adventure in Paris.
One day, almost by chance, he came across one of Rudolph Steiner's books, a pioneer of biodynamics, in a Parisian flea market and at the age of 52, he decided to abandon his career and enrolled in the Beaune oenological school, with the aim of returning to the land and producing the wine he loved.
For the next 7 years, he worked as a worker in the vineyards of several estates in Burgundy and the Beaujolais region. From cooperative winery to conventional winemaker and doing 'internships' with the likes of Trapet, Lapierre and Emmanuel Giboulot, the leader of biodynamics in Burgundy, Pierre Fenals wants to see it all. He wants to understand, as he puts it.
In 2002, he finally feels ready and buys his first 2.5 hectares of land in Maranges, in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune and in Beaujolais. Then in 2009, helped financially by a few friends, he moves to Saint-Aubin where he officially founds the Maison En Belles Lies and completes his production by buying another 3.5 hectares of vines in Santenay, Monthelie and the prestigious Corton hill.
The name En Belles Lies (beautiful lees) comes from an ancient practice developed by monks in the 17th century who used to dry the barrels and then rub them with the lees of the vintage.
Following the principles of Steiner's biodynamic agriculture, the Maison En Belles Lies does not use any type of chemical product in the vineyard, only volcanic sulphur and natural copper are allowed to protect and fortify the plants, and some minor ploughing is allowed from time to time to keep the spontaneous grass between the rows under control and to let the soil breathe.
In the cellar, only indigenous yeasts are used, fermentation takes place mainly whole cluster in open vats and then placed in barriques by gravity for many years. Naturally, no sulphur is added to the wine and all stages take place according to the lunar calendar.
The wines of the Maison En Belles Lies, although produced without any added sulphur, are crystal clear, well concentrated and deeply expressive of their different terroirs. They show no sign of having been produced without any chemical intervention. They are pristine and sublime, Pierre's passion, his knowledge, his attention to detail and his respect for nature immediately struck us at first tasting.
