Gamay is a thin, delicate purple-black skinned grape which is cylindrical and compact, surrounded by flat, fairly even-edged leaves.

Although granite soils seem to be its soil of choice, the variety is good at adapting. Half of the 30,000 hectares of Gamay planted worldwide are in the Beaujolais region of France, where it covers 98% of the areas that produce Beaujolais wine.

The hilly Beaujolais vineyards stretch out from north to south over 55km, bordered to the west by the Massif Central, and to the east by the Saone river.

Beaujolais vineyards are emblematic in the French national landscape, but are still teeming with secrets to be unearthed. The region has a constent sense of welcome and sharing. Sculpted over centuries it is personified by its 12 AOCs.

JB is an artisan. His aim is to make the finest "terroir" wine in Beaujolais. Wine which is made in the vineyard: the grapes are hand harvested, he uses no additives, minimal fining, and as little sulphur as possible. He is the eighth generation of the Bechvillier family to farm the vines at Mont Joly, but the first since 1873 to own the vineyard, purchasing the land before he was 30 and realising his childhood dream.