Thibault Ducroux is one of those winemakers who has been enticed by the vine from practically a toddler’s age: the son of a Beaujolais grower, he recalls how quickly he became passionate while learning the basics of the trade in his father’s cellar. His desire to understand more about vine-growing led him to study a classical viticulture-enology course in the region, but the real game-changer came when he discovered the works of Jules Chauvet, the ingenious 20th-century research chemist, winemaker and négociant venerated as the father of the French natural wine movement.

The path was set: once the diploma was in his pocket, Ducroux started to work for another dedicated, up-and-coming Beaujolais grower Julien Sunier, where he learned the ropes of organic viticulture and natural vinifications. He currently farms 6.5 ha of vines in Beaujolais, Morgon and Fleurie.