Julien Thurel

Julien Thurel discovered in 2009 a cider terroir that he describes as rich and forgotten, located at the meeting point of the country of Othe, Brie, Perche, and the strong Sancerrois region. Before dedicating himself to cider, he worked as an ornithologist and a forester, experiences that guide his vision towards a work driven by authenticity, meaning, and respect for nature. This philosophy naturally leads him towards an agroecological approach as well as certification in organic farming.

The estate is built on research and varietal preservation work. From the launch of the project, Julien Thurel travels the countryside to identify old fruit trees, witnesses of local agricultural practices. The conservatory orchard of Château-Renard also contributes to enriching this diversity, later complemented by other old varieties of apples, pears, and quinces. These selections allow for the creation of a nursery specific to the estate, where the varieties are grafted and multiplied. The farm then extends over 15 hectares of land, complemented by new plantings of cider orchards.

Today, the estate relies on a holistic approach focused on preserving natural balances. The orchards are planted without tillage to protect the microfauna and microflora of the soils. Pollinator and fruit-bearing hedges have been planted to promote biodiversity, while natural meadows maintained by late mowing contribute to the maintenance of biological cycles. The installation of birdhouses, as well as the presence of an organic beehive in the heart of the orchards, are part of this environmental initiative that accompanies the production of the estate's cuvées.