The Jura Vin Jaune and Savagnin Wine Tour visits the Fruitière Vinicole d'Arbois at 2 Rue des Fossés, 39600 Arbois, a cooperative winery in the Jura département of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. Founded in 1906, the cooperative is among the oldest in the region and carries particular historical resonance as the producer of wines associated with Louis Pasteur, who grew up in Arbois and conducted foundational fermentation research partly on local wines in the nineteenth century.
The tour's central focus is vin jaune, a white wine made exclusively from the Savagnin grape and aged for a minimum of six years and three months in partially filled oak barrels beneath a voile — a film of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast that forms on the wine's surface and prevents full oxidation while imparting vin jaune's characteristic nutty, walnut, and curry-spice flavour profile. Guides demonstrate the barrel rooms where voile development is monitored, explain the precise conditions required to maintain the yeast veil, and describe why only approximately 62 centilitres of wine survive from each original litre — the precise volume enshrined in the distinctive clavelin bottle that is legally required for all vin jaune d'Arbois and Château-Chalon appellations.
The 1.5-hour session includes a guided cellar walk and a five-wine tasting flight covering the cooperative's principal range: typically Poulsard, Trousseau, Chardonnay d'Arbois, Savagnin, and a vin jaune from the clavelin cellar. The flight is presented in sequence, allowing visitors to trace the stylistic arc from the cooperative's lighter, fruit-driven reds to its most structured oxidative white. Tasting fees of €12 to €20 per person cover the tour and the flight; the cooperative's shop is open after the tasting and offers all estate wines at cellar-door pricing. Arbois is compact and walkable; the fruitière visit pairs naturally with a stop at the Maison de Louis Pasteur, a short walk away.
What is included
- Guided cellar tour showing voile yeast veil and oxidative winemaking
- 5-wine tasting flight including a vin jaune from the clavelin cellar
- Explanation of Jura's unique appellation system
- Shop access for cellar-door pricing
Good to know
- Operator
- Fruitière Vinicole d'Arbois — the cooperative winery that produced Pasteur's wines
Location
Fruitière Vinicole d'Arbois, 2 Rue des Fossés, 39600 Arbois, Tel: +33 3 84 66 11 67
46.9011, 5.7748 View on map
Highlights
- Cellar tour showing the voile yeast veil technique that defines vin jaune's oxidative character
- Five-wine tasting flight spanning Poulsard, Trousseau, Chardonnay, Savagnin, and vin jaune
- Historical connection to Louis Pasteur, who used Arbois wines in his foundational fermentation experiments
- Shop access for cellar-door pricing on Jura's rarest appellations, including back vintages of vin jaune
Tips for visiting
- Vin jaune is an acquired taste for those accustomed to non-oxidative styles; taste it alongside the Savagnin in the flight for stylistic context.
- The Fête du Biou harvest festival in Arbois (first Sunday of September) is free and pairs well with a fruitière visit on the same day.
- Arbois is small and walkable; combine the fruitière visit with a stop at the Maison de Louis Pasteur for a complete Arbois half-day.
- Purchase vin jaune in the distinctive 62cl clavelin bottle only from the fruitière or certified domaines; it is not easily found outside the Jura.
Frequently asked questions
What is vin jaune and why is it unusual?
Vin jaune is a white wine made from the Savagnin grape aged under a voile yeast veil in partially filled barrels for a minimum of six years and three months. The result is a nutty, oxidative flavour profile unlike conventional white wines, often compared to a dry fino sherry.
What is the clavelin bottle?
The clavelin is a 62cl bottle unique to vin jaune. Its smaller volume reflects the traditional evaporation loss during the long barrel aging. The clavelin format is legally required for vin jaune d'Arbois and Château-Chalon appellations.
Is the Fruitière Vinicole d'Arbois open to walk-in visitors?
The fruitière welcomes walk-in shop visits during opening hours for wine purchases. Guided cellar tours are typically pre-booked; current tour times should be confirmed by phone (+33 3 84 66 11 67) or email before visiting.
Which Jura grape varieties are covered in the tasting flight?
The standard flight at the Fruitière Vinicole d'Arbois typically covers Poulsard, Trousseau, Chardonnay d'Arbois, and Savagnin alongside vin jaune, giving a broad overview of the Arbois appellation's principal varieties.