A pioneer of natural wine in Auvergne, Patrick Bouju has always done things his own way. Born in Poitou-Charentes, he studied chemistry before discovering a sulphite intolerance in the mid-90s. That pushed him towards natural wine and there was no going back.

After military service in Chalon-sur-Saone and wine training in Beaune, he settled in Auvergne and bought his first vines. His first vintage came in 1997. The early years were tough. Alongside raising a family, he worked in IT while farming and experimenting whenever he could.

By 2008, he committed fully to the domaine. No shortcuts, no additives, total freedom. Challenging vintages led him to start a négociant project with his partner Justine Loiseau. Together they work with fruit from their own vines around Puy-de-Dome as well as from across France and beyond, including Alsace, Savoie, Beaujolais, Languedoc and even Greece.

The wines are vivid, alive and never miss a beat. The philosophy stays the same whether from the volcanic basalt of the Auvergne or sourced from trusted growers. They have achieved cult status, well deserved IMO.