OBORA
Chènas
Beaujolais
Hugo Foizel and Angela Quiblier met in 2017 whilst studying oenology in Dijon. Hugo was born in Aube, Champagne whilst Angela is originally from Jura. Between the two, they’ve had apprenticeships and worked stages at some of the most renowned Domaines in Burgundy and across France such as Romanée Conti, Comte de Vogüe and Domaine Leroy in Burgundy as well as Stephan Tissot in Jura, just to name a few.
Their journey led them to Beaujolais and as their inaugural venture together they became the first co-managers of the 5.2ha Jeunes Pousses estate in Émeringes. These vineyards were created by Thibault Liger-Belair and became a space for young winegrowers to use as a vocational vineyard for a period of time.
After their exciting three-year tenure at Jeunes Pousses, they developed a deep appreciation for the terroir of Beaujolais, immersing themselves in its nuances. This newfound affinity led them to relocate and establish roots in nearby Chénas, giving birth to Obora. The name itself is a fusion of their birthplaces and where they make wine: Aube + Beaujolais + Jura.
Collaboratively they farm 6 hectares of land of mainly Gamay spanning the appellations of Chénas, Juliénas in Beaujolais, as well as the IGP Saône sur Loire Blanc, in South of Burgundy (for the Chardonnay and Viognier). Committed to sustainable practices, their vineyards boast organic certification and are meticulously tended with a focus on environmentally friendly methods. They prioritise the use of plant-based treatments and meticulously perform all vineyard tasks by hand.
The work in the winery is simple and follows a non-interventionist philosophy. Fermentations are spontaneous, vinifications take place in natural vessels and sulfur is kept to a minimum. For the reds they favour the use of whole bunch fruit and gentle macerations. This approach aims to faithfully capture the subtleties in terroir, by focusing on preserving the purity of fruit flavours, embodying the unique character of Beaujolais whilst paying homage to their diver winemaking heritage.
Blanc.O
Vintage 2022
Style White
Region Saône-sur-Loire, Burgundy
Varieties Chardonnay
ABV 12.5%
Soils Clay
Farming Organic
Winemaking Grapes are sourced from the site ‘En Marmets’ part of IGP Saône et Loire in Southern Burgundy. These were harvested by hand on the 23rd of August. Fruit is direct pressed and spontaneously fermented in used barrels. The wine is then aged also in barrel for one year. A minimal dose of 1g/hl of sulfur is added only at the bottling stage. No fining or filtration.
Tasting Note
BOB
Vintage 2021/22
Style Red
Region Moulin-à-Vent, Beaujolais
Varieties Gamay
ABV 13%
Soils Pink Granite
Farming Organic
Winemaking A blend of two different vintages of Gamay from a small site with shallow and poor soils in Moulin-à-Vent. The grapes are hand harvested and the whole bunches undergo a semi-carbonic maceration of 8-10 days (10 days liquid phase fermentation). The wines are blended together and aged in stainless steel. Bottling takes place in July of 2023. A minimal dose of 1g/hl of sulfur is added only at the bottling stage. The wine is unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note
Julienas
Vintage 2022
Style Red
Region Juliénas, Beaujolais
Varieties Gamay
ABV 13%
Soils Clay, Silica Sand
Farming Organic
Winemaking Grapes are sourced from a site named ‘En Riziéres. The fruit is hand harvested and processed in whole bunches, undergoing a 10 days of semi-carbonic maceration (30 days liquid phase fermentation). This is followed by ageing in enamel coated stainless steel tank and the wine was bottled in July 2023. A minimal dose of 1g/hl of sulfur is added only at the bottling stage. No fining, nor filtration.
Tasting Note
Chénas
Vintage 2022
Style Red
Region Chènas, Beaujolais
Varieties Gamay
ABV 13%
Soils Pink Granite, Manganese Clay, Alluvial
Farming Organic
Winemaking The 2022 cuvée is a blend two different parcels within the Chénas appellation: ‘En Papolet’ and ‘En Perelles’. The former is filled with decomposed pink granite, shallow poor soils, whereas the latter display deeper alluvial soils and Manganese clay. The grapes are hand harvested in whole bunches, undergoing 15 days of a semi-carbonic maceration (20 days liquid phase fermentation. Fruit from both parcels is vinified separately and aged in enamel coated stainless steel tanks. Both wines are then blended and bottling takes place in April following the harvest. A minimal 1g/hl of sulfur is added only at the bottling stage. No fining or filtration.
Tasting Note
Chénas, En Papolet
Vintage 2021
Style Red
Region Chènas, Beaujolais
Varieties Gamay
ABV 12%
Soils Pink Granite
Farming Organic
Winemaking Grapes are hand harvested and are processed in whole clusters and are spontaneously fermented in concrete. The fruit comes exclusively from the poor Pink Granite driven soils of the site ‘En Papolet’ in Chénas. This is followed by a period of maturation in used oak barrels. The wine is unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Note Rose petal, redcurrant, delicate floral note, with hints of lifting spicy grapefruit on the finish. The fruit is crunchy and pure. Very elegant, perfumed and lots of energy.