The Bret Brothers: Elevating the Mâconnais*
The Mâconnais has long been seen as the poor relation in Burgundy. It lacks the prestige of the Côte d'Or, from the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, and didn't even have Premier Cru vineyards until 2021. Yet this very lack of fame has proven to be a blessing in disguise. Free from the restrictions of tradition and reputation, winemakers in the Mâconnais have had the creative freedom to experiment and innovate, producing some of the most interesting and exciting wines in all of Burgundy.
Who Are the Bret Brothers and Why Are They So Sought After
"The Bret brothers - Jean-Philippe and Jean-Guillaume - are making some of the most exciting wines in the Mâconnais," writes Jamie Goode of Wine Anorak. Their wines are described as "hard to find, very rare and incredibly sought after" by specialist retailers, a testament to the brothers' reputation for excellence.
Featured as one of Decanter's top wineries to visit in the Mâconnais, brothers Jean-Philippe and Jean-Guillaume Bret have become synonymous with quality in southern Burgundy. When they retrieved the vineyards of Domaine La Soufrandière, which their grandfather had purchased in 1947, from the local cooperative in 2000, they embarked on a journey that would transform both their family estate and the wider perception of the region. From day one, they began farming organically, achieving full biodynamic certification by Demeter in 2006.
Bridging Tradition and Modernity
The Bret Brothers exemplify the perfect balance between traditional methods and modern precision. All grapes are hand-harvested and pressed as whole berries, with fermentation taking place in small barrique barrels or large tanks depending on the site. They work with horses in the vineyard and age wines in older oak barrels to ensure the terroir defines the wine, yet all of this takes place in a modern, temperature-controlled cellar that ensures optimal conditions.
The Difference Between La Soufrandière and Bret Brothers
The brothers' name has an interesting origin story. Even before they started selling their first Bret Brothers vintage, the legendary Becky Wasserman who christened them the "Bret Brothers". When the brothers were looking for a name for their experimental micro-cuvées made with négociant grapes, they adopted the name that had already been given to them, reserving La Soufrandière for wines from their own estate vineyards.
La Soufrandière wines come from the Bret family vineyards, now organic and biodynamic; Bret Brothers wines are from grapes grown locally under contract. Decanter describes these as "lively, long-lived wines." Their négociant operation sources top-quality, organically farmed grapes from 40+-year-old vines in small plots across the best sites in the Mâconnais, applying the same exacting standards to purchased grapes as they do to their own estate fruit.
The brothers produce around 50,000 bottles across 14 different cuvées from approximately 8 hectares, with production ranging from just 900 to 4,000 bottles per micro-cuvée. Since the 2019 vintage, 100% of all grapes they purchase are certified organic or in conversion, reflecting their deep commitment to sustainable agriculture.
These are wines that capture the essence of southern Burgundy's diverse terroirs, from the steep slopes of Vergisson to the deeper soils of Vinzelles, with a purity and elegance that has established the Bret Brothers as true ambassadors for the Mâconnais.