1947
La Soufrandière, an old property located in Vinzelles, in the southern part of the Mâcon wine-producing region (in Southern Burgundy), is purchased by Jules Bret (our paternal grandfather), a Professor of Medicine. At that point, the vineyards covered an area of only one hectare, grown in Pouilly-Vinzelles Climat “Les Quarts” appellation d’origine contrôlée. The only sign remaining of its past wine-growing activity was a “tinailler” (a building typical of the Mâcon region, used to house vats), complete with an old-fashioned wine-press.
Jules Bret and his wife Louise (who came from Vinzelles) set about expanding the La Soufrandière vineyard by acquiring plots of vines adjoining their existing ones. At that time, all the vines were entrusted to share-croppers (shared costs and production), while the grapes harvested were vinified and sold through the Vinzelles Wine Co-operative.
