Domaine des Cavarodes, founded in 2007 by Etienne Thiebaud in Cramans, northern Jura, France, is a beacon of natural winemaking. At just 22, Thiebaud—after apprenticing at Domaine de la Tournelle—acquired rare old-vine parcels (60-120 years) outside Arbois AOP, planted to indigenous varieties like Poulsard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Savagnin, and obscurities such as Enfariné Noir and Savagnin Rose. Across 4.5-5 hectares of limestone, clay, and marl soils, he farms organically (Ecocert) with a horse, emphasizing minimal intervention.
In the cellar, reds undergo carbonic maceration for juicy acidity, while whites often employ ouillage (topping up) for purity and finesse, with indigenous yeasts, no chaptalization, and little to no SO₂. His wines—named for soils or lieux-dits like Les Lumachelles—exude vibrant terroir expression: precise, saline whites with subtle sparkle, and field blends rivaling Jura icons. Shy yet relentless, Thiebaud crafts cult-status bottles of remarkable clarity and drinkability.