Place: Beaujolais, FRA

Variety: Gamay

Farming: Organic

Born in Lyon to Arabic heritage, Karim was adopted by a family in Morgon, eventually working for 10 years as a vineyard-hand and winemaker for Beaujolais legends such as Guy Breton and Marcel Lapierre.

When he started his winery, he was told that use of his ethnic first name on labels would limit his sales and as a result, he initially labelled his wines simply as ‘K. Vionnet.’ As time passed, Karim embraced his North African roots and not only began including his full name on his wines but also named his Beaujolais Village “Du Beur Dans Les Pinards” which loosely translates into “Arab in your wine”  derived from the French expression “du beurre dans les épinards“- something you say when you have extra money that will allow you to “add a bit of butter in your spinach.”.

This comes from a 55 year old single vineyard in La Chapelle-de-Guinchay once owned by Beaujolais godfather Jules Chauvet. 

Fresh, bright and vivacious, it is impossibly delicious and energetic.