The Gang Of Four

Revolutionaries of Beaujolais

The "Gang of Four" refers to four legendary winemakers from Beaujolais—Jean Foillard, Marcel Lapierre, Guy Breton, and Jean-Paul Thévenet—who revolutionized the region in the 1980s. Rejecting the industrial, chemical-heavy practices dominating Beaujolais at the time, they embraced traditional, natural winemaking inspired by Jules Chauvet, a pioneer of the natural wine movement. Their approach focused on organic farming, late harvesting, native yeast fermentations, minimal sulfur use, and careful grape sorting to craft wines that reflected the true character of their terroir.

Their Impact:
At a time when Beaujolais was dismissed as a source of cheap, simple wines (largely due to Beaujolais Nouveau), the Gang of Four demonstrated that the region could produce serious, complex wines capable of aging. Working in top crus like Morgon and Régnié, they created pure, elegant Gamay wines that rivaled neighboring Burgundy. Importer Kermit Lynch coined the term "Gang of Four" to highlight their shared philosophy and their role in elevating Beaujolais to new heights.

Legacy:
Their work redefined Beaujolais and helped ignite the global natural wine movement. Their commitment to sustainable viticulture and minimal-intervention winemaking inspired a new generation of winemakers both in Beaujolais and beyond. Today, their wines remain benchmarks for quality, and their successors—like Mathieu Lapierre or Charly Thévenet—continue their legacy while adapting to modern challenges.

To Sum It All Up...
The Gang of Four transformed Beaujolais from a region overshadowed by mass-market wines into a symbol of authenticity and terroir-driven craftsmanship. By rejecting industrial practices and embracing nature’s rhythms, they created wines alive with character, complexity, and integrity—an influence that endures worldwide.