Domaine Anita is a relatively young winery in Beaujolais, but it has already made a significant impact on the region. Founded in 2015 by former professional cyclist Anita Kuhnel, the domaine is located in Chénas, a stone's throw from the Fleurie border and the renowned Poncié vineyard.
Anita had always been interested in wine, and decided to pursue her passion by starting her own domaine in Beaujolais, having grown up in the nearby town of Bresse. Jumping in with both feet, she attended the Ecole de Vins de Bourgogne oenological training centre in Beaune, before choosing to focus on producing high-quality wines that express the unique character of the region’s terroirs.
The domaine now encompasses 18 hectares of vines spread among the crus of Chénas, Fleurie, Morgon, and Moulin-à-Vent. Plantings are about as dense as you get; 10,000 vines per hectare, and vines range from 40 to over 100 years old. She uses sustainable viticultural practices (including a horse to plough certain vineyards), and suggested this was a choice over organic viticulture to ensure that treatments were kept to an absolute miminum. She only ever intervenes with chemicals if the vintage is under threat.
The decision to intervene as little as possible is also demonstrated in the cellar. This allows her to fully express vineyard site character. She vinifies her wines individually in small cement tanks with minimal use of sulfur. Fermentations are spontaneous and use of new oak is kept to a minimum. She’s assisted in the cellar by Guy Marion, who had several decades of experience as cellarmaster at Georges Duboeuf.
Chénas is known for its elegant and refined wines, while Fleurie is renowned for its floral and perfumed character. Morgon is a more structured and tannic wine, while Moulin-à-Vent is the most powerful and age-worthy of the Beaujolais crus. Each wine possesses a clearly defined and well-articulated personality.
Domaine Anita is a rising star in the Beaujolais wine world. Her passion for winemaking and her commitment to producing authentic, terroir driven wines has earned Anita a loyal following among wine lovers. Not too natural, nor overly polished, the wines exude juicy, sumptuous fruit, elegance and tension. Not to mention incredible fruit purity. She truly captures the essence of Gamay from great vineyard sites. You won't be disappointed.
Available Wines
This is aged 80% in cement and 20% in used Burgundy barrells, which suits the wines tendency for richness. This is tighter on the nose, with hints of spice but with the same delicious dark fruit comes through eventually. It opens up with blackberry fruit and black olives. There is power, but it’s balanced by grippy tannins and firm acidity. Drinking well now, but it will evolve nicely over the next 2-3 years.
This comes from a 45-year-old parcel that has a cool north-easterly exposition and lighter pebbly quartz soils. It’s incredibly charming, with pure black cherry fruit, crisp acidity and fine tannins. Seductive on the nose, there are aromas of boysenberries and dark fruits, along with white pepper spice. Try not to like it.
This exhibits a plethora of aromas including blueberry and cherries with a hint of parma ham and crushed flowers. This is a ripe, rich expression of gamay, which explodes onto the palate, but tightens up and finishes with elegance. Plenty of energy to balance the richness. It is sumptuous and delicious.
From 60 year old vines, this cuvée is completely destemmed and sees a long élevage in barrell (15% new). Black cherry and plum fruit character with silky tannins. Lots of opulent spice; cinnamon, cocoa, cherry. You can tell that it’s a rich vintage, but again Anita cleverly makes sure that nothing is out of balance. This has Gevrey Chambertin like qualities and such a long finish. Luxurious; a real crowd pleaser. It will also age well.
This lieu-dit is Anita’s only wine that sees a Burgundian-like élevage – and it has a definite pinoté quality. Expressive and open on the nose – notes of cherry, boysenberry and plum alongside dried flowers and warm stones. There is a lightness of touch and softness on the palate to match bright, ringing acidity. Complex, stunning, pure seduction.