Burgundy, France
Our Producers
Domaine Chandon de Briailles, Savigny-Lès-Beaune
This domaine has been in the same family since 1834, when the countess Chandon de Briailles (distant relative of the champagne house Moët et Chandon) and her husband decided to purchase the house and its vines. Brother and sister, Francois and Claude are the current generation in charge of these 14 hectares of vines that they farm biodynamically since 2005.
Here, vinifications are very traditional with mainly whole bunch grapes for the reds and no enological products are used except for sulfur in very small quantities at bottling. Fermentations start naturally a few days after harvest in open top cement tanks before the the wine is aged in mainly used barrels (up to 8 years old). As Claude & Francois say, these are “no make-up” wines, meaning for them that the winemaking leaves the center stage to allow the terroir to do the talking. Classically styled, terroir-driven, lively, pure, ripe and intense are qualities often used to describe their wines.
Domaine François de Nicolay, Savigny-Lès-Beaune
“Starting from the simple and logical idea that good wines can only be made with good grapes…” François de Nicolay is a well-known figure in Burgundy since he manages Domaine Chandon de Briailles with his sister Claude. In 2000 he decided to start a small-scale, high quality negoce business producing 15,000 bottles in Savigny-Lès-Beaune.
Having seen the benefits of biodynamic viticulture at his family Domaine, François only sources organic or biodynamic grapes from trusted friends amongst the best growers, who are sometimes famed producers themselves. The optimal quality of the grapes means he can create several cuvées without added sulphites or chaptalisation; other cuvées experience an extremely low dose of sulphur as the only addition. François lets the terroir express itself with this minimal intervention, use of natural yeasts, and neutral barrels. The wines receive the utmost care: they do not undergo either pumping or filtration and they are hand bottled with a “Chèvre a deux becs” directly from the barrel.
Domaine Gerard Julien & Fils, Comblanchien
Based in Comblanchien, just to the south of Nuits-St-Georges, Etienne Julien took over from his father in 2012 and has quickly got people excited about the wines he is crafting. Etienne perfectly embodies the 5th generation of the Domaine. He was raised in the love for the vineyards and great wines, and despite his young age, he has a solid vision of the wines he has to produce. More than ever before, he can implement high quality winegrowing with the support of enthusiasts not only from France, but from all over the world. For instance, Etienne now adopted a more organic approach and follows a strict so-called “lutte raisonnée” farming, literally “reasoned fight”, in order to carefully control potential diseases of the vines and contribute to a better ecosystem.
For 5 generations now, the family stands firmly on the land of Côte-de-Nuits, and the wise farmer vision of the members, linked with long-term respectful commercial policy, is the secret recipe for success.
Domaine du Mont Epin, Maconnais
Drawing on their experience as artisan winemakers, Richard and Stephane Martin took over Domaine du Mont Epin in Clesse. Burgundy, in August 2015 and have since breathed new life into the estate. With its white appellations, Macon-Peronne, Macon-Peronne l’Etoile, VireClesse and Vire-Clesse Breillonde, these form a new collection of fine white Burgundies, offering a perfect blend of subtlety, elegance. precision and authenticity.
The oldest deepest-rooted vines of the VireClesse appellation cover four hectares on the gently sloping eastern side of the hill. This provides deal sun exposure. allowing them to ripen magnificently and produce wines that are full-bodied. rich, well-balanced and firm on the palate. The single Macon-Peronne vineyard forms a ‘clos’ on the western side of the hill. running from the winery to half-way up the hillside. Sheltered and naturally protected by the hill, the grapes ripen slowly and produce fresh, lively and vigorous wines.
Here, the focus is on combining tradition and modernity. Using their knowledge of ancient wine-making techniques, they are gradually guiding the estate towards totally organic growing methods.
Domaine Jean Guiton, Bligny-lès-Beaune
Domaine Jean Guiton began in 1975, starting in Bligny-les-Beaune, with a share-cropping agreement with a modest size of 2 hectares of vines. His son, Guillaume joined the Domaine in 1998 and progressed to running operations from 2002 and taking full control in 2005.
Today, with approximately 10 acres of owned vineyards and another 15+ acres of leased vines, the Domaine makes lovely wines from the appellations of la Côte de Beaune, especially in Pommard, Volnay, Beaune Savigny, Ladoix Serrigny et Aloxe-Corton.
Guillaume’s approach is to craft wines of real charm, finesse and purity, with refined tannins and bright red fruits.
He has been described as a “devoted terroirista”, who welcomes the opportunity not to intervene in what nature offers. His methods vary based on vintage circumstances but he usually de-stems his red grapes and mostly avoids fining and filtration.
From a preference never to overwork the wines, this enables the natural character of the wines to shine through, with clear ‘village’ definition throughout the range. Though the vineyards are not certified organic, the entire property is farmed without the use of systemic herbicides or pesticides. In addition, Guillaume’s studious approach with barrels – including raising many pre-blended wines in a variety of barrels, 100 % in oak, only using them for 6 years, & aged for 18 months, with no more than 20% new oak – has resulted in a very well-patronized portfolio, frequently listed in top tables in Paris, London and other major cities.
With a modest annual production of only around 5,400 cases from 12 appellations, these pure, beautifully expressive wines are well worth seeking out, and provide excellent value for money.
https://www.dvp-vins-domaines.com/en/domain/89/domaine-jean-guiton
Domaine de la Croix Senaillet, Maconnais
“Domaine de la Croix Senaillet in Davaye is a patchwork of sixty parcels of Chardonnay on the gentle eastern slopes of the Roche de Solutre and the Roche de Vergisson, facing the morning sun, Here, the marly limestone soils date back to the mid to late Jurassic era, The vineyards cover 27 hectares, 21 of which are in Saint-Veran, 5.5 in Macon-Davaye, 0.5 in PouillyVinzelles and 1 in Pouilly-Fuisse.”
The vineyards have been fully organic since 2010 and the wines are currently certified as such by Ecocert. Innovation and heritage are combined in what is now a tried and tested family business. The Martin brothers share responsibilities. Stephane tends the vines while Richard supervises the vinification process in the calm of the cellar, both with the constant aim over the past twenty years of seeking finesse, minerality and elegance in their wines and revealing the strong identity of each appellation.
Domaine & Maison Lejeune, Pommard
Bourgogne Côte d’Or Pinot Noir, 2017 75cl – $60 ex GST
Bourgogne AOC Rouge Les Grandes Carelles, 2016 75cl – $70 ex GST
En Remagnien Village Monthélie AOC, 2017 75cl – $85 ex GST
Savigny-lès-Beaune Village AOC, 2017 75cl – $95 ex GST
“Les Argillères” Pommard 1er Cru AOC, 2017 75cl – $160 ex GST
“Les Grands Epenots” Pommard 1er Cru AOC, 2016/2017 75cl – $200 ex GST
Bourgogne AOC Blanc, 2016 75cl – $60 ex GST
Bourgogne AOC Blanc Les Grandes Carelles, 2016 75cl – $70 ex GST
POMMARD 1 er Cru LES POUTURES, 2017 75cl -$145 ex GST
POMMARD 1er Cru LES ARVELETS, 2017 75cl -$145 ex GST
BEAUNE 1er Cru LES EPENOTES Rouge 2018 75cl -$115 ex GST
PERNAND VERGELESSES Village Rouge 2017 – $85 ex GST
HAUTES COTES DE BEAUNE Mont Batois 2019 -$85 ex GST
PERNAND VERGELESSES Village Blanc 2018 -$85 ex GST
Domaine Jean Guiton, Savigny-Lès-Beaune
BOURGOGNE COTE D’OR 2019 75cl – $70 ex GST
SAVIGNY LES BEAUNE 2018/2021 – $95 ex GST
SAVIGNY 1ER CRU “Les Hauts Jarrons” 2017/2019/2020/2021 – $115 ex GST
Savigny 1er Cru “Les Peuillets” 2018/2021 – $115 ex GST
Pernand Vergelesses 1er Cru “Les Vergelesses” 2019/2021 – $120 ex GST
BEAUNE 1ER CRU “Les Sizies” 2019/2020 – $120 ex GST
LADOIX 1ER CRU “La Corvee” 2019/2021 – $125 ex GST
Domaine Chandon de Briailles, Savigny-Lès-Beaune
Savigny-Les-Beaune Village, 2017 75cl – $88 ex GST
Corton Grand Cru Blanc, 2017 75cl – $308 ex GST
Domaine François de Nicolay, Savigny-Lès-Beaune
Coteaux de Champlittle Pinot Noir, 2017 75cl – $60 ex GST
Mercurey Rouge AOC Bio, 2018 75cl – $80 ex GST
“Aux Montagnes” Côte-de-nuits AOC, 2016 75cl – $98 ex GST
Bouzeron AOC Aligote, 2017 75cl – $60 ex GST
“La Grande Châtelaine” Côte-de-Beaune AOC Blanc Bio, 2017 75cl – $88 ex GST
“Les Vermots” Savigny-Les-Beaune Village Blanc, 2017 75cl – $98 ex GST
Domaine Gerard Julien & Fils, Comblanchien
Côte de Nuits Villages AOC, 2015 75cl – $88 ex GST
“Les Valozieres” Aloxe-Corton AOC, 2016 75cl – $118 ex GST
Nuits St Georges AOC, 2015 75cl – $128 ex GST
“Aux Saints-Juliens” Nuits Saint Georges AOC, 2016 75cl – $138 ex GST
Domaine du Mont Epin-Mâconnais
Macon Peronne 2022, 75cl $60 ex GST
Macon Peronne Letoile 2020/2021, 75cl $65 ex GST
Vire Clesse 2019/2020, 75cl $65 ex GST
Domaine de la Croix Senaillet-Mâconnais
Macon Davaye 2021, 75cl, $60 ex GST
Saint Veran AOC 2021, 75cl, $65 ex GST
Saint Veran AOC 2022, 37.5cl, $35 ex GST
Saint Veran Grande Bruyere 2020, 75cl, $70 ex GST
Pouilly Vinzelles 2021, 75cl, $85 ex GST