Jura Chardonnay by 5 Wy
Stretching roughly 80 kilometers along the foothills of the Revermont, the Jura is a place where tradition still shapes conversation: whether a wine is made sous voile or ouillé. Historically vast, the region has shrunk dramatically from 20,000 hectares in the 19th century to about 2,000 today, making these wines all the more precious. Between forests, farmland, and those famously content cows (destined for Comté), Jura has quietly become one of the most exciting sources of distinctive, terroir-driven wines amongst wine nerds in the modern era.
Johann Widmer’s story is as unexpected as his wines. A former medical student, he took a summer job at the Arbois cooperative that completely changed his path. He went on to study viticulture in Beaune, spent years working at Domaine Montbourgeau, and gradually assembled a mosaic of small vineyard plots around Arbois. In 2018, he launched Domaine des 5Wy, and with only a few vintages under his belt, he’s already showing a clear, thoughtful vision rooted in minimal intervention.
“Origine” comes from the very first vineyard Johann purchased as the foundation of his project and a fitting name for a wine that feels so personal.
Johann’s Chardonnay spends some time sous voile, developing under a thin layer of yeast, but not long enough to become fully oxidative like a traditional Vin Jaune or even resemble fino sherry. Instead, it captures a beautiful middle ground: on the nose, there’s a gentle nutty character and a touch of savory, slightly funky complexity, adding intrigue without dominating.
Beneath that lies a vibrant core of green apple and white flowers all carried by bright acidity and a distinct mineral backbone. The palate is energetic and precise, finishing clean with just a whisper of that hallmark Jura savoriness.
It’s also worth remembering that Jura works with a small cast of grapes. Three are native (Savagnin, Poulsard, and Trousseau), while Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were long ago adopted from Burgundy. Here, Chardonnay becomes something entirely its own: less about richness, more about tension, texture, and nuance.This Chardonnay bridges Jura’s oxidative traditions with a fresher, more approachable style. It’s a perfect introduction for the curious and a rewarding bottle for longtime fans of the region.
Johann Widmer is just getting started, full of ideas and energy, and it’s going to be exciting to watch Domaine des 5Wy grow.
