The ten crus of Beaujolais are situated in the northern half of the Beaujolais district, collectively covering just over 15,750 acres irregularly surrounded by the villages of the Beaujolais-Villages appellation. The crus occupy the finest and most complex soils of the district, characterized by sand and clay topsoils over a deep layer of schist and crystalline granite, and subtle differences among them account for the individuality of each cru. Total production averages four million cases, about one fourth of the Beaujolais’ annual yield.

Morgon is the second largest cru of Beaujolais, covering 2,770 acres between Chiroubles and Régnié. Morgon's vineyards are situated on the slopes of two valleys, one in the north of the cru and the other in the south. Morgon is a geological oddity; the particular composition of its soils is marked by the pronounced presence of sand and gravel produced by disintegrating schist and manganese over a layer of deep clay, referred to as "terre pourrie," or "decayed soil." The abundance of manganese, which bonds with the live plant matter in the soil, lends the wines density and vigor and also makes them slower to evolve. This soil profile yields the fullest and most ageworthy of the crus of Beaujolais. Two “lieux-dits,” or microclimates, are considered to be the finest in the cru: the Mont de Py, a parcel of vocanic soils on Morgon’s most elevated hillside; and Charmes, with soils more typical of the cru.

Maison Louis Jadot purchased the Château des Lumières in 2001. Originally the Château de Bellevue, the name was subsequently changed to reflect a period around the turn of the 20th century when the Lumières brothers, inventors of the cinema, inhabited the domaine’s château. The lovely, mid-19th century turreted château is surrounded by registered historic gardens and behind it, vineyards extend to the edge of a woods. A new, gravity-controlled vinification facility also sits against the hill behind the château on the site of the original cellars. The estate covers 148 acres, 87.5 of which are planted to vineyards lying on the southerly- and southeasterly-exposed slopes overlooking the village of Villié-Morgon. The vineyards are distinguished among four “clos,” or parcels: Côte de Py, les Charmes, Roche Noire and Bellevue. Typically, the only clos bottled under its own label is Côte du Py; the others are blended under the Château des Lumières label.

Following a hand harvest, the grapes are brought to the fermentation facility, and fruit from each parcel is kept separate until just before bottling. Rather than the carbonic maceration technique typically used in the Beaujolais, Château des Lumières practices a traditional Pinot Noir vinification, begun by a 60 to 80 percent destemming of the clusters. The must is then chilled and held for two to five days. A 20 to 30 day fermentation with indigenous yeasts then takes place in partially sealed vats to evoke the fullest expression of the fruit and terroir in the finished wine. The cap is either pumped over or held submerged with grills to optimize extraction of color, aroma and tannin. Approximately 40 percent of the wine is aged in Alliers, Limousin and Nevers oak barrels of new or up to two harvest’s use for twelve months in the domaine’s cellars.

The Morgon propensity for longevity is sometimes expressed as a verb; “morgonner" is to age well.

Louis Jadot Château des Lumières Morgon shows the stone fruit fragrance of peach, apricot and wild cherry typical of Morgon. The rich, voluptuous fruit flavors are expansive, dense and warm on the palate; notes of wild cherry and kirsch dominate on the finish. The firm tannins evolve toward maturity after three to five years, with longevity of eight years to a decade.