Karine and Cyril Alonso

The Conservatoire des Vignes Anciennes is an agricultural project run by Cyril and Karine Alonso in Marchampt, in the south‑west of Beaujolais. This unique vineyard preserves more than 140 varieties of Vitis vinifera alongside several wild non‑vinifera varieties, used to produce distinctive, expressive and consistently stable natural wines.

Marchampt is a beautiful, elevated and relatively cool village where vineyard plains give way to a wilder landscape of rolling, wooded hills. The Conservatoire’s vines are split across three plots totaling about 1.7 hectares. Most of the plantings date to the previous owner, who established the farm prior to selling it to Karine and Cyril. Since acquiring the property the pair have developed it into an eco‑lieu that supports a diverse biome of plants, animals and insects in addition to the vine conservatory.

The winery focuses on blends that change each vintage, highlighting the site’s genetic diversity. For example, the 2022 Première Presse du Yeti is crafted from 31 different Gamay varieties, while the 2021 Art Brut incorporates all 140+ varieties on the property. Many cuvées are fermented and aged in amphora, and every operation in the vineyard and cellar is performed by hand.

Wines from the Conservatoire des Vignes Anciennes are remarkable for their purity, balance and concentration of primary fruit. Low yields from wild vines, combined with the cool, sunny microclimate, produce intensely fruity grapes. The resulting wines are elegant and silky, reflecting both outstanding fruit and highly sensitive, minimal intervention handling in the winery.

The Conservatoire is an important example of biodiversity‑driven viticulture and traditional winemaking in Beaujolais. Its preservation of rare grape varieties and commitment to hands‑on, sustainable practices create wines that are singular in character and expressive of their cool, elevated terroir.