Along with the pioneering 'Gang of Four' (Thevenet, Lapierre, Foillard and Breton), Yvon Métras is rightfully credited with transforming the face of Beaujolais. Before them, the region's reputation was tainted by Beaujolais Nouveau and many had forgotten what this beautiful area was capable of. Métras ripped up the rule book of convention and set to work transforming Beaujolais into one of France's most exciting winemaking regions. The rest, as they say, is history.

He adopted a Burgundian approach to winemaking: focusing on the unique character of a single vineyard or village, adopting Organic and Biodynamic growing techniques, and making the final wine as naturally as possible. With this approach, it's no wonder he counts the legendary (and similarly mythical) Jura producer Pierre Overnoy as a key mentor. Métras' wines are some of the purest, most energetic expressions of Gamay you'll ever taste and are capable of ageing for well over a decade (if you can stand to wait that long).