Domaine Marcel Lapierre

Marcel Lapierre is one of the key names not only in the Morgon appellation but in the entire Beaujolais region. After taking over the winery from his father, Marcel soon began following the teachings of the famous winemaker and chemist Jules Chauvet, who, as early as the mid-20th century, promoted natural winemaking, avoiding pesticides and herbicides, and encouraged working with healthy grapes and minimal intervention in the cellar.

Marcel’s philosophy quickly attracted like-minded colleagues – together with three other similarly minded winemakers, he became a member of the famous (though unofficial) club “The Gang of Four”. This movement revived the reputation of Beaujolais, which had long been associated with cheap, hastily made Beaujolais Nouveau, and restored its place among France’s high-quality wines.

After Marcel’s sudden passing in 2010, the winery was taken over by his children, Camille and Mathieu, who continue to uphold their father’s vision. The estate works according to biodynamic and organic principles, and in the cellar, a philosophy of minimal intervention is strictly followed – fermentation occurs naturally, without added yeasts, and sulfite use is kept to an absolute minimum.

Wine Style

Marcel Lapierre wines are renowned for their purity, natural expression, and the distinctive character of the ‘Gamay’ grape. These are warm, fruit-driven, yet refined wines that perfectly reflect the Morgon terroir.

• Red wine – made exclusively from ‘Gamay’. In their youth, they show rich aromas of red and black berries, floral notes, and subtle hints of herbs. With age, they gain complexity, revealing spice, dried fruit, and a gentle earthy character. The tannins are soft, the structure is balanced, and the finish is long and elegant.