Saint-Amour
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The romantic northernmost Cru of Beaujolais, known for elegance and finesse.
Saint-Amour is the northernmost and one of the smallest of the ten Beaujolais Crus, and the only cru located in the Saône-et-Loire department, right at the border with the Mâconnais. Its vineyards cover roughly 320 hectares on diverse soils of granite, clay, schist and limestone, which give the wines notable complexity. Made exclusively from Gamay, Saint-Amour comes in two styles: a light, fruity style with red-berry and floral notes such as peony and iris, and a more structured, longer-macerated style with spicy, kirsch-like depth that can age five years or more. The appellation is world-famous for its romantic name, meaning 'Saint Love', which makes it the go-to wine for Valentine's Day.
Best for: Perfect for romantic dinners, Valentine's Day, and wine lovers seeking elegant, fruit-forward red wines.
No sub-regions registered yet.
Producers
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Domaine Cédric Vincent
Founded in 2010 by Cédric Vincent in Pouilly-le-Monial, this estate spans 12 hectares from the Pierres Dorées in the south to Moulin-à-Vent in the north, including Saint-Amour and Morgon. Cédric, a former consultant for Beaune growers, combines family vineyard heritage with oenology training and hands-on experience across regions. The domaine practices sustainable viticulture (in conversion to organic, with certain biodynamic principles applied), banning insecticides, acaricides, and anti-rot products for many years. Beaujolais Blanc from 100% Chardonnay makes up around 60% of production, alongside character-driven Cru Beaujolais reds, some aged in amphora, from vines 50 to 120 years old on granitic soils. Cédric was twice awarded "jeune espoir" (young talent) at the Hospices de Beaune wine auction (2010, 2014), joined the Disciples d'Escoffier in 2015, and the Collège Culinaire de France in 2017.
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www.cedricvincent.com/ドメーヌ・フランク・ジュイヤール
Domaine Franck Juillard
Domaine Franck Juillard is a family estate based at Les Capitans in Juliénas, Beaujolais. Founded in 1992 by Franck Juillard, son of a winemaker, the domaine began with 3.5 hectares and now farms nearly 12 hectares across several Beaujolais crus (including Juliénas and Saint-Amour) and the Mâconnais. The estate is recognized by the Guide Hachette des Vins as a reliable producer of Saint-Amour and Juliénas, using thermoregulated stainless steel tanks and a pneumatic press to produce fresh, fruit-forward red and white wines.
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Domaine de la Cave Lamartine
Located in Saint-Amour-Bellevue, this family-run estate was founded in 1965 by Paul and Bernadette Spay. The property is historically linked to the family of the poet and politician Alphonse de Lamartine. In 2016 the domaine merged with the neighboring estate of the next generation, Rachel Hamet and Christophe Spay, and now operates under the name Domaine Hamet-Spay while continuing to bottle its historic cuvees under the Cave Lamartine label. Spanning 18 hectares across Saint-Amour, Julienas, Moulin-a-Vent, Pouilly-Fuisse, Bourgogne blanc and Cremant de Bourgogne, the estate is known for its flagship Saint-Amour "Vers l'Eglise".
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Domaine de la Pirolette
Domaine de la Pirolette is one of the largest and most respected estates in the Saint-Amour appellation of Beaujolais, its origins tracing back to the 1600s. The property takes its name from the pirole, a delicate white wildflower native to the site. In 2013 the estate was taken over by Grégory and Virginie Barbet, who ended all use of herbicides and pesticides and earned HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) environmental certification in 2019. The 15 hectares of vines, planted almost entirely to Gamay, are grouped around the property on varied terroirs of pebbly sandstone and blue stone, clay, and altered pink granite, facing south and south-east. The domaine's most emblematic parcels — Le Carjot, La Poulette, and La Pirolette — are vinified and bottled separately, and the estate is widely credited with helping restore Saint-Amour's reputation as a true Beaujolais cru.
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domainedelapirolette.com/en/ドメーヌ・デ・ヴィーニュ・デュ・パラディ
Domaine des Vignes du Paradis
Domaine des Vignes du Paradis is a family estate in Saint-Amour, the northernmost cru of Beaujolais, run by Pascal Durand, a fifth-generation winegrower whose family has farmed vines in the village since 1864. The domaine takes its name from En Paradis, the hillside hamlet in Saint-Amour-Bellevue where the vines are planted. Pascal Durand established the estate under his own name in 1999 and now farms roughly 4.5 hectares of hillside vines, mostly Gamay for Saint-Amour and Beaujolais-Villages, plus a small parcel of Chardonnay for Bourgogne Blanc. Grapes are hand-harvested and the domaine practices organic viticulture, vinifying with an antique 1910 vertical lever press to preserve fruit and limit harsh tannin extraction. The 2018 Saint-Amour was awarded a Gold Medal at the Concours Général Agricole de Paris 2020.
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www.saint-amour-en-paradis.com
Food Pairings
Roasted poultry, charcuterie, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, and soft cheeses.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Saint-Amour only for Valentine's Day?
- No. While its romantic name makes it hugely popular on Valentine's Day, Saint-Amour is a high-quality cru suitable for any occasion throughout the year thanks to its elegant structure.
- What grape variety is used in Saint-Amour?
- Saint-Amour red wines are produced exclusively from the Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc grape variety, like all Beaujolais Crus.
- Where is Saint-Amour located?
- It is the northernmost of the ten Beaujolais Crus, around the village of Saint-Amour-Bellevue at the border with the Mâconnais, and the only cru in the Saône-et-Loire department.
- Can Saint-Amour wines age?
- Yes. The lighter style is best within two to three years, but the more structured, longer-macerated style can develop beautifully for five years or more.
- What does Saint-Amour taste like?
- Expect red fruits such as raspberry and cherry, floral notes of peony and iris, a silky texture, and in more structured bottlings a subtle spicy, kirsch-like depth.