In 1948 he returned to the family estate in Alsace, Hugel & Fils, where he shared in management operations with his brothers André and Georges.
In 1997, Hugel scaled back on his activities in the day-to-day management of the estate as his nephews took on more prominent role.
Hugel also developed the guidelines for the late harvest dessert wines Vendanges Tardives and Sélections de Grains Nobles.
[3] When these laws were officially recognized in 1984 they were among the strictest AOC requirements in the French wine industry.
[1] Over his more than 60 years in the Alsatian wine industry, Jean Hugel won numerous awards and honors.