Our publishing house: a group of friends, an auspicious meeting and the birth of unique books

Since then, we have continued to go in search of biodynamic winemakers and passionate craftspeople, venturing ever further in our exploration of biodynamic viticulture alongside those who practise it, with tenacity and talent, far from the prejudices and clichés (virtual or otherwise!) that still surround these surprising, effective yet controversial methods. Among those we have met along the way are Lalou Bize-Leroy and the unique and unforgettable and enigmatic wines of Domaine Leroy and Domaine d'Auvenay, as well as Jean-Louis Chave, with whom we have worked on two books dedicated to his estate, Hermitage Chave Héritage and Clos Florentin.

We should point out that were keen to meet Lalou Bize-Leroy not because of her immense media aura, but because of her immense knowledge and her historic contribution to the world of wine. We were not at all disappointed, and left feeling invigorated by this fiery and passionate figure. Similarly, thanks to our friendship with Louis Renardat-Fâche, a great secret artist and the brother of an eminent Bugey winemaker, we have forged links with Jean-Louis Chave and Pierre Overnoy, resulting in books devoted to their respective estates.

And, together with Artemis Domaines, we have published the only book to date devoted to Château-Grillet, that singular and sublime pearl of the Rhône Valley.

Éditions Tonnerre de l'Est is the only publishing house to have worked directly with these estates on books that are shaped by time, conversations and tastings. Throughout the process, we endeavour to create the most faithful portrait of their viticultural practices, their expertise and their environmental commitment.

To achieve this, we rely solely on our independence, taking the time needed to develop ambitious editorial projects. Far removed from the world of superficial, prestigious, austere tomes, these are original books that take risks and convey a strong commitment to – and a symbiosis with – their subject.

These books, along with a few others, belong to our Grands domaines en biodynamie (Great Biodynamic Estates) collection, which also includes Pierre Overnoy! and the recently published Romanée-Conti: la recherche (In Search of Romanée-Conti).

We publish the work of winemakers who also happen to be talented writers. We co-write with them, as with Olivier Humbrecht, who shares his vast experience and knowledge of wine in Michel Onfray... le vin mauvais?: a collaborative piece that responds to the famed philosopher’s lofty criticism of biodynamic wines – and their makers – with insight and humour. In 2022, over a decade after our first book with the estate, we published Clos Saint-Urbain – Clos Windsbuhl together, in which Olivier once again puts pen to paper to tell us about his greatest clos and crus. The book won a Special Prize at the Gourmand Awards for its originality.

These books – which also include the work of the travelling winemaker and author Sandrine Dovergne, and the historic Gaillac winemaker Robert Plageoles – are part of our Grappillages (Glean and Gather) collection, which aims to brings together resolutely unclassifiable writing. Somewhat more baroque than the Grands domaines en biodynamie collection, and quirkier than the Ramifications collection (bilingual books with two publications to date, Grain sensible and Du vin ! De l’Air ! (A Glass of Wine, A Breath of Fresh Air), it offers a wonderful forum for winemaker-writers – the quality of their prose, their wine and their original yet essential perspectives. Christophe Beau, a Languedoc winemaker with an extraordinary background, is the author of Abécédaire, être vigneron en liberté, which won Best Book in the World at the Gourmand Awards 2017.