Théo Dancer

History of Domaine Théo Dancer

Théo Dancer grew up in Chassagne-Montrachet, in the family home surrounded by old Chardonnay vines. From a very young age, he accompanied his father Vincent Dancer through the finest climats of the Côte de Beaune, from La Romanée to Meursault Les Perrières and the Grand Cru Chevalier-Montrachet, the jewel of the domaine. Before the vine, however, Théo dreamed of becoming a tennis champion: from the age of 4 to 15, he joined the French Federation and competed on the European circuit. Fate decided otherwise, and the young man found his way back to the path laid out by his father.

After viticultural and oenological training and formative experiences at Domaine de Trévallon with the Dürrbach family and at Belluard in Savoie, Théo returned to Burgundy and, in 2020 at just 20 years of age, took over the reins of Domaine Vincent Dancer. This transition was accompanied by a genuine qualitative acceleration: Théo further refined the vinifications, experimented with new approaches in both vineyard and cellar, and launched his own micro-négoce in order to freely explore new grape varieties and new territories. In 2021, he took on Roc Breïa, a magnificent single-block vineyard of approximately ten hectares at the heart of the Mâconnais. Today, the name Théo Dancer stands among the most exciting signatures in Burgundy.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Théo Dancer

Domaine Vincent et Théo Dancer extends over just over 8 hectares at the heart of the Côte de Beaune, with a mosaic of prestigious terroirs. The historic home base is at Chassagne-Montrachet, notably including the Premier Cru La Romanée and the enclave climat Morgeot Tête du Clos. The domaine also holds emblematic parcels in Meursault (Les Corbins, Les Grands Charrons, the Premier Cru Les Perrières), in Puligny-Montrachet, and the jewel of the property — a parcel of Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru. Added to these are red wine cuvées from Pommard (Premiers Crus Les Pézerolles and Les Epenots), Beaune Premier Cru Les Montrevenots and Chassagne-Montrachet rouge.

The Théo Dancer micro-négoce broadens this Burgundian anchorage towards favoured grape varieties and regions: Aligoté in Burgundy, Savagnin from the Jura (cuvée Jurassique), Gringet from Savoie (Alpestre), Gamay from Beaujolais and Gamay from Chiroubles (Botanica), Grenache from the Vaucluse (Aragon). With Roc Breïa, he adds a Mâconnais vineyard of approximately 10 hectares in a single block — an absolute rarity in fragmented Burgundy. The entire vineyard is farmed organically, Domaine Vincent Dancer having been one of the pioneers of this approach since its founding. Théo has also undertaken high-density plantings (up to 20,000 vines per hectare), drawing inspiration from demanding practices such as those of Hubert Lamy, to push grape quality even further.

Vinifications at Domaine Théo Dancer

In the winery, the philosophy is clear: intervene as little as possible, let the terroir speak, preserve the purity of the fruit. For the whites from the Côte de Beaune, Théo Dancer crafts chiselled, vibrant Chardonnays marked by a controlled reduction in the Burgundian tradition — a subtle balance between texture, tension and transparency. Fermentations take place with indigenous yeasts, and careful ageing in barrels (with a sensible proportion of new oak adapted to each climat) preserves the freshness and mineral verticality that are the domaine's signature.

For the micro-négoce cuvées, Théo applies the same meticulous specifications: grapes sourced each year from the same partner vines, farmed organically or biodynamically, with harvest dates determined by Théo himself to capture optimal ripeness. Vinifications play on ageing in stainless steel vats, amphorae or used barrels depending on the desired profile, with no fining and minimal filtration. For the reds from Pommard, Beaune and Chassagne, Théo refines the extractions and favours juices of exceptional purity. This quest for precision regularly places the wines among the most accomplished and most eagerly anticipated in their appellations.

The Cuvées of Domaine Théo Dancer

Oskar: a unique reserve cuvée in Vin de France, born in 2021 from a blend of the four finest climats of the domaine (Tête du Clos, La Romanée, Meursault Perrières and Chevalier-Montrachet). Very limited (a few barrels per year), it is a refined, delicate and fresh wine with a powerful and lingering finish. A collector's bottle reserved for connoisseurs.

Bourgogne Aligoté (Théo Dancer): the signature cuvée of the micro-négoce, sourced from old low-yielding Aligoté vines. Manual harvesting, gentle pressing, fermentation in stainless steel vats, ageing for 15 months on fine lees. The wine combines sharp freshness, mineral tension and lovely generosity on green apple, citrus and white blossom.

Jurassique (Savagnin du Jura): a bold Savagnin cuvée from the Jura, vinified with a modern and precise approach. Saline notes, citrus, white flowers and mineral tension — another vision of the Jura's emblematic grape variety.

Alpestre (Gringet de Savoie): a confidential cuvée of Savoyard Gringet, a rare grape variety from the Ayze vineyard. Théo crafts a chalky and springlike white here, brimming with citrus and juicy white fruits, lifted by anise and menthol touches, with a saline imprint reminiscent of Chablis.

Botanica (Gamay de Chiroubles): a 100% Gamay from a Beaujolais cru, Chiroubles. Aged in amphorae and used barrels, with a nose of red fruits and wild flowers, a free and charming palate — a natural and joyful expression of the grape variety.

Gamay (Beaujolais): the second Gamay cuvée from the micro-négoce, sourced from the Beaujolais vineyard. A fresh, juicy and perfumed wine on cherry and raspberry, crafted for immediate pleasure in a minimalist approach.

Aragon (Grenache du Vaucluse): a sunny and soulful Grenache, light and vibrant, releasing a bouquet of strawberries and Provençal herbs carried by a gentle energy. An airy, natural vision of this southern grape variety, perfect with grilled meat or a dish with Mediterranean accents.

Roc Breïa: a Mâconnais project taken on in 2021 with two investor friends, an exceptional single-block vineyard of around ten hectares. Théo produces Mâconnais Chardonnays of great purity here — energetic and saline, in the same pursuit of precision and elegance as the family domaine.