Collection: Domaine de la Borde

Pupillin, an iconic village perched above Arbois and often called the “capital of Poulsard,” is home to one of Jura’s quiet treasures: Domaine de la Borde. Here, on steep vineyards reaching up to 550 meters above sea level, Julien Mareschal has been crafting wines since 2003.

Julien is part of a generation of Jura winemakers who chose this path rather than being born into it. A trained oenologist, he began in conventional agriculture but soon realized that true wine emerges from a deeper understanding of and respect for the soil and nature. He honed his skills at influential estates such as Domaine de la Tournelle and learned from legendary Pupillin figures like Pierre Overnoy and Emmanuel Houillon.

Today, Julien cultivates five hectares of vineyards across the region’s classic soils, blue clay, red marl, and limestone rubble, on sites with varying exposures and slopes. Most of the vineyards are planted with white varieties (Chardonnay, Savagnin), while a smaller portion grows red grapes (Poulsard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir). Half the vines are over 30 years old, with the rest planted between 1985 and 1990. Julien has farmed organically and biodynamically since 2012, entirely chemical-free, and every harvest is handpicked, with meticulous attention given to each vine.

The philosophy at Domaine de la Borde is minimal intervention. Julien strives to produce grapes of the highest quality and allow the cellar work to unfold naturally. Fermentation is always spontaneous, and sulfur is used only sparingly, in the most challenging vintages. The wines are precise yet free, clean, lively, and expressive.

His whites often show a saline, almost electric minerality, while the reds are light, fruity, subtly smoky, and remarkably elegant. Vin Jaune holds a special place in his winemaking, embodying tradition, memory, and timelessness.

Though small, Domaine de la Borde makes a significant impact for those seeking honest, terroir-driven wines. Each bottle carries the wild beauty of Pupillin and the careful, loving work of Julien Mareschal.