Julien Altaber

France

Aug 20

Julien Altaber’s path to winemaking is as unconventional as it is inspiring. Raised in Auvergne in a family of dairy farmers, Julien initially planned to follow the family tradition until his mother encouraged him to study viticulture. This shift set him on a course toward Burgundy, a region defined by high barriers to entry and traditional hierarchies. Undeterred, Julien forged his own way, working for almost a decade as cellar assistant to the pioneering natural winemaker Dominique Derain in Saint Aubin. During this time, Julien learned the intricacies of organic viticulture and natural winemaking while also making a few barrels of his own wine in Derain’s cellar, eventually founding Domaine Sextant.

Over the years, Julien pieced together micro-parcels, including old-vine Aligoté near Puligny and Pinot Noir in the Maranges AOC, while maintaining relationships with organic growers for his négociant cuvées. His approach is characterized by transparency, spontaneity, and minimal intervention: fermentation is always wild, sulfur use is minimal to none, and the wines are left unfiltered to preserve their energy and aromatic complexity. In 2016, Julien and his wife Carole acquired Dominique Derain’s estate, continuing his legacy while infusing it with their own creativity. Today, Julien’s wines embody a rare blend of subtlety, liveliness, and authenticity, making him a key figure in the natural wine movement in Burgundy.