Julien Thurel

Loury — Loiret

Certified Organic & Biodynamic

Julien Thurel, a woodsman and ornithologist, has been making foraged and organically farmed pear and apple ciders since 2012. He who knows birds, knows trees and this specialist has devoted much time to researching local apple and pear varieties, selecting the ones best suited to his native clay, limestone and silex soils. A perfectionist and nativist, Julien is driven by a mission to find the best local varieties that would lead to delicate yet aromatically complex and age-worthy ciders.

All of the varieties he works with (with one exception which he bottles apart) are local to the Pays Gâtinnais and Sancerrois. Julien grafted and planted his orchard himself and while his pear trees and youngest apple trees mature, he continues to forage fruit from sites he has been studying for years. All his fruit is grown without chemicals and hand harvested, a rarity for cider production. He makes 3 passes throughout the season and ages the fruit on organic lattes in a sheltered outdoor spot near his cellar that gets eastern wind. The aging can take 10 days to a month, depending on varietal and vintage. This further concentrates the flavors and facilitates a better extraction at pressing. Each varietal is pressed and fermented separately in stainless steel with native yeast. The juice is then blended before ageing in neutral barrel. Secondary fermentation in barrel. No sulfur until bottling, with a max of 15-20mg.