About the Domaine
Oxymore is a collaboration between brothers-in-law and Jura natives, Guilhem Henriot and Rémi Thomas.
Guilhem studied enology in Burgundy while also working as a sommelier at the popular La Maison du Colombier in Beaune. After his studies, Guilhem returned to the Jura for an apprenticeship with Francois Rousset-Martin, one of the Jura’s preeminent vignerons. Rémi, a middle school history and geography teacher, soon joined his brother-in-law at Francois Rousset-Martin. Over the next 3 years, the duo honed their skills in the vineyards and cellar of this legendary Domaine.
Guilhem and Rémi had always hoped to make their own wine, and in 2022 they launched Oxymore in their home village of Domblans, just 5km west of Château-Chalon. The inaugural vintage was a purely négociant operation with organic grapes sourced from Jura (Maison des Saules), Beaujolais (Domaine Oedipoda), and Alsace (Célia Immele).
In early 2023, Guilhem and Rémi purchased 2.64 hectares not far from the Domaine in the villages of Château-Chalon, Nevy-Sur-Seille, Perrigny-Conliège, and Bréry. These established parcels are planted with Chardonnay (45%), Savagnin (35%), and Poulsard (20%). Organic certification started in 2024, and the duo employs many biodynamic and homeopathic remedies to avoid overuse of copper and sulfur sprays.
All grapes, domaine and négociant, are harvested and pressed by hand. In the cellar, only indigenous yeasts are utilized with the aim of obtaining pure fermented grape juices faithful to the terroir. Sulfur is rarely, if ever, used but the duo is not dogmatic about the application of sulfur.
Guilhem and Rémi love the traditional and emblematic grape varieties of the Jura; however, they are also keen to work with varieties and terroirs of other regions throughout France. Few regions have experienced the difficulties of climate change quite like the Jura. Given the number of poor vintages over the last 10 years, a successful négociant business has become a necessity for young Domaines in the Jura and beyond.
These are some of the most innovative and complex wines we’ve come across since starting Terres Blanches in 2019. The Domaine bottlings are uber traditional, serious wines that rival the best in the Jura, while the négociant wines are experimental, easy drinking, and fun. The common thread is quality, and that can be found in abundance throughout the range.
