Nicole Chanrion

Nicole Chanrion took over the family estate in 1979, becoming one of the first women to manage a winery in the region. She studied at the Lycée Viticole de Beaune and interned in California's Napa Valley before returning to Beaujolais. Nicole modernized the winemaking process by introducing stainless steel vats with temperature control and a pneumatic press, while maintaining traditional methods such as hand harvesting and whole-cluster fermentation. In 2000, she became president of the Côte de Brouilly appellation, reflecting her dedication to the region.

In recent years, Nicole's son, Romain Chanrion, has joined the estate. With a background in engineering and oenology, Romain collaborates with his mother to continue the family legacy.

Côte de Brouilly is one of the ten crus of Beaujolais, located in eastern France. Nestled on the slopes of Mont Brouilly, this appellation is known for its steep vineyards and unique volcanic blue granite soils, which provide excellent drainage and minerality to the wines. Unlike the broader Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages regions, Côte de Brouilly wines tend to be more structured, elegant, and age-worthy.

The primary grape variety is Gamay, which thrives in this terroir, producing wines with deep red fruit flavors, floral aromatics, bright acidity, and a distinct mineral character. Compared to its neighboring Brouilly appellation, Côte de Brouilly wines are often described as more refined and complex due to the higher elevation and rockier soils.

While Beaujolais wines are often associated with youthful, fruity expressions, Côte de Brouilly stands out for its serious, well-balanced, and terroir-driven style, making it a favorite among wine lovers looking for depth and elegance in their Gamay wines.