Les Boris Jeffereies
Caux, FR
The volcanoes of the Auvergne last erupted nearly seven thousand years ago, sending rivers of basalt from the heart of France toward the Mediterranean. Resting atop this ancient lava flow lies the village of Caux, where Joseph Jefferies makes wines marked by volcanic soil and southern light.
Originally from Warwickshire, England, Joe first arrived in the south of France in 2003 while visiting his father, who had recently moved there. It was during that trip that he met Amandine, a native of Caux. They fell in love, and before long Joe’s life took on a distinctly French rhythm.
After settling in the village, Joe worked for several years as a cycling tour guide. Along the way, he became close with local winemakers including Bernard Bellahsen, Julien Peyras, Antony Tortul, and Rémi Poujol. When his father in law offered access to a small parcel of Grenache Blanc, Joe took his first steps into winemaking, guided by this close knit community.
Today, Joe farms roughly four and a half hectares on the volcanic soils surrounding Caux. His vines include Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache Blanc, Gris, and Noir, along with Terret Bourret. Fermentations are often carried out together using an infusion approach. Reds frequently include white grapes, lending lift and transparency. The wines retain a lightness of touch uncommon for the south, while remaining unmistakably Mediterranean in character.
More recently, time spent with Fabrice Monnin of Mazière has begun to influence Joe’s direction. Longer lees contact, extended élevage in barrel, and a gentle openness to oxidation are gradually reshaping the wines. It is a pleasure to watch the project evolve. Rooted in ancient lava fields and guided by curiosity, Joe’s wines speak of both place and possibility. With time, they promise to reveal the depth of a remarkable terroir and the steady hand of a grower coming fully into his own.