Beaujolais Villages 2021, Karim Vionnet

This is Gamay in its purest, most joyful form. Aromatically, the wine is a festival of red fruit—wild strawberry, raspberry, and just-picked cherries—underscored by delicate floral notes of violet and a savory whisper of dried herbs and crushed granite.

On the palate, it’s light to medium-bodied, with juicy, tart red fruit wrapped in brisk acidity and stony minerality. The texture is silky and seamless, with soft, barely-there tannins and a clean, crunchy finish. Hints of white pepper, clove, and a gentle earthiness round things out, making this a beautifully precise and food-friendly bottle that feels as alive as the vines it came from.

About the Winery

In the heart of Beaujolais, where the hills roll gently between the Saône River and the foothills of the Massif Central, you’ll find the humble but soulful cellar of Karim Vionnet—a winemaker who wears his heart on his sleeve and lets Gamay do the talking.

Born in Lyon and raised by a Beaujolais farming family, Karim began working the vines at the tender age of ten. His winemaking journey took shape under the tutelage of natural wine luminaries like Guy Breton, Marcel Lapierre, and Jean Foillard—names synonymous with Beaujolais' renaissance. In 2006, after years of hands-on learning, Karim struck out on his own, establishing a small domaine in Villié-Morgon, the spiritual center of Beaujolais' natural wine movement.

Karim now organically (though not certified) farms around 5–8 hectares of old-vine, bush-trained Gamay across several villages, including Morgon, Régnié, Chiroubles, and Fleurie. His approach in the vineyard is fiercely sustainable: no chemicals, no irrigation, just careful attention to soil health and vine balance.

In the cellar, it’s all about low-intervention authenticity. Karim ferments with native yeasts, uses full carbonic maceration to emphasize vibrant fruit, and avoids fining, filtration, and new oak. Sulfur is used sparingly—just enough to stabilize the wine while preserving purity and texture.

But don’t mistake his minimalism for modesty—Karim’s wines are bold, joyful, and full of attitude. He’s known for a rebellious streak (he once named a cuvée Du Beur dans les Pinards, a cheeky nod to his North African roots) and a deep love of rock and roll (rumor has it AC/DC is always on in the cellar).

Today, Karim is joined by his daughter Noémie, who brings fresh energy to the domaine. Together, they continue crafting expressive, terroir-driven wines that have earned cult status among natural wine lovers. Whether it’s a Cru-level bottling or a humble Villages wine, a bottle from Vionnet always brings vibrancy, integrity, and that signature Beaujolais bounce.