Jintaro Yura is a new name in Alsace but already fully integrated in this breeze of young winemakers who aim to better reveal the extraordinary potential of the terroirs of Alsace, an historical wine region not yet so well-known, especially abroad. Jintaro is born in Japan within a family of food lovers, his father being in charge of three restaurants mostly oriented to the French cuisine … and of course French wines. This had a direct influence on Jintaro, who rapidly got acquainted with wine. After a first experience as a sommelier, Jintaro enrolled in oenology school, exploring some vineyards such as Burgundy, Waipara (New Zealand) or Yamanashi (Japan). 

In 2012, he decided to settle in France and especially in Alsace, working with Domaine Josmeyer and Domaine Hurst (both organic). 

In 2018, he moved to Domaine Gross, a great organic domaine full of ideas and dynamism, especially to develop the biodynamic way in Alsace. Vincent Gross, convinced by the talent of Jintaro and his hard work at the Domaine, decided to help Jintaro to make his own wine in 2020.

Like many others young winemakers having no family into wine, Jintaro is buying grapes from some neighbours (including Domaine Gross) and borrow a cellar space to age his wines. His first vintage (2020) consists in only one wine (“L’ Abeille et le Papillon”), a single cuvée highlighting the potential of two disregarded grapes: Pinot Blanc and Pinot Auxerrois (a native grape from Lorraine, a region bordering Alsace).

Jintaro’s approach is original compared to the traditional Alsatian winemaking. For the whites he doesn’t press the grapes for a very long time: his press will last 4 hours when most of the others winemakers in Alsace will press for 8 hours white locale grapes (such as Riesling). He is always fermenting the juices through indigenous yeasts and he is using diverse containers (large oak barrels, stainless steel tank, clay…) to add complexity to the wines. Also, Jintaro does not hesitate to steer the lees during the elevage like it is done in Burgundy (but rarely in Alsace). All of those points contribute to the unique expression and originality of Jintaro’s wines, delivering a great balance and a special twist of umami, savory notes. Like the lovely names of each cuvée, these wines are inspiring, original and definitely full of joy and well-being.