Julien Altaber was not born into wine, but he became one of the most respected natural winemakers in Burgundy by inheriting the legacy of a pioneer.
Backstory
Born in the Auvergne to dairy farmers, Julien discovered wine during studies at a wine business school. In 2002 he met Dominique Derain, a natural wine pioneer in Saint-Aubin, and worked alongside him for a decade. In 2007, with Derain's blessing, he founded his own label, Domaine Sextant, named for the navigational instruments his brother-in-law admired. When Derain retired in 2016 he sold the domaine to Julien, who relaunched it in 2020. Julien runs both projects with his partner Carole Schwab.
The Region
The estates are based in the Cote de Beaune around Saint-Aubin in Burgundy, France, with vineyards and a negoce arm sourcing fruit from across the region.
Vineyards and Farming
The work follows the organic and natural path Julien learned from Derain, prioritizing healthy soils and living vines as the foundation for expressive, terroir-driven wine.
Winemaking
His approach is built on transparency and spontaneity. Fermentations are always with wild yeast, sulfur use is minimal to none, and the wines are left unfiltered to preserve their energy and aromatic detail.
The Wines
Under Sextant and Derain, Julien bottles Burgundian classics including Bourgogne Rouge from Pinot Noir, Bourgogne Gamay, Aligote and Chardonnay, lively wines that pair Burgundy's finesse with a vibrant natural sensibility.
