Domaine des Terres de la Cour ★ 4.0

Domaine des Brureaux ★ 4.2

One of Chénas's small number of independent producers working the smallest of the ten crus, producing powerful, spicy Gamay from granite and sand soils bordering Moulin-a-Vent.

Domaine des Crais ★ 4.1

Saint-Amour estate producing fragrant, cherry-forward Gamay from the northernmost cru, a favourite on Valentines Day menus for its evocative name and approachable style.

Domaine des Pins ★ 4.0

Brouilly estate in Saint-Etienne-la-Varenne, one of the six communes of the Brouilly AOC (granted 1938, around 1300 hectares). Produces round, fruit-expressive Gamay from the gently sloping granite terrain of Brouilly.

Domaine des Sables d'Or ★ 4.0

Brouilly estate in the commune of Saint-Lager, one of the six communes making up the largest of the Beaujolais crus. Produces ripe, generous Gamay from sandy granite.

Domaine Marcel Lapierre ★ 4.9

Morgon estate and spiritual home of the natural Beaujolais movement, producing whole-cluster Gamay with minimal sulfur following Jules Chauvet's method. Marcel died in 2010; the domaine continues.

Tasting: Visits and tastings by appointment; the domaine is a pillar of the natural Beaujolais movement founded on Jules Chauvet's principles.

Signature wines: lapierre-morgon, lapierre-raisins-gaulois

Tip: Book tastings well ahead; allocation wines sell quickly through specialist importers.

Domaine Jean Foillard ★ 4.9

Morgon estate anchored on the Cote du Py lieu-dit, a Gang of Four natural pioneer. Jean Foillard studied under Jules Chauvet and has farmed organically for decades.

Tasting: Visits by appointment only. The estate is best known for its Cote du Py parcel.

Signature wines: foillard-morgon-cote-du-py, foillard-morgon-eponym

Tip: The Cote du Py cuvee rewards 3 to 5 years in bottle.