Domaine Berthet-Bondet

Chantal and Jean Berthet-Bondet settled in Chateau-Chalon in 1984 and the first harvest took place in 1985. Helene, the eldest daughter, retrained in viticulture in 2013 with the help of her father, who passed the baton to her in 2018 when she became manager of the estate. 

The history of the Jura is evident at the Domaine, with its central section and vaulted cellar, dates from the 16th century. The mullioned windows, the ogee door surmounted by two coats of arms, and the turret with staircase are all there to testify to this. The proximity of the 13th century tower could suggest a construction prior to the 16th century, but there is no trace to confirm this. The house, known as the lord’s or priory’s house, may have belonged to a steward of the abbey. The coats of arms above the entrance door are those of noble families from Franche-Comté, the de Rye and de Quingey families, to whom many of the abbesses of Chateau-Chalon belonged. 

The estate covers an area of 15 hectares of vines, including 4.5 hectares in the Chateau-Chalon appellation and 10.5 hectares in the Cotes du Jura appellation. The majority of the vines were planted in the 1980s and a few young vines were planted in the 1990s and 2000s. The often steep vineyards require a lot of care, mechanisation is difficult. The estate converted to organic farming in 2010, requiring more effort and attention to the land and the vines.