La Petite Empreinte

History of the Domaine de La Petite Empreinte

The story of the Domaine de La Petite Empreinte is one of a meeting, that of Mélissa Bazin and Romain De Moor, two young winemakers brought together by a shared passion for living, natural wines. Mélissa, originally from Ardèche, discovered wine during a three-month internship with several figures of the Ardèche natural wine scene, including Sylvain Bock, Les Deux Terres, Jérôme Jouret, Gérald Oustric and Gilles Azzoni. She then went on to study for a BTS Viticulture-Oenology on a work-study basis at the highly regarded Domaine Labet, in the Jura.

Romain, for his part, comes from the family of the celebrated Chablis winemakers Alice and Olivier De Moor. From 2015, he pursued formative experiences at Marcel Lapierre in Beaujolais, Fabien Jouves in the South-West, then spent two years of work-study alongside the legendary Jean-François Ganevat in the Jura, where his path crossed that of Mélissa. After several further experiences, he returned to Courgis in early 2020. Together, they then created the Domaine de La Petite Empreinte, taking on 0.76 to 0.90 hectares of vines in Saint-Bris and Côtes d'Auxerre. Their first vintage, 2020, was vinified in the family winery of Domaine de Moor. From the 2022 vintage, the estate expanded with two new cuvées under the Coteaux Bourguignons appellation.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine de La Petite Empreinte

The vineyard of Domaine de La Petite Empreinte is a true micro-estate of approximately one hectare, fragmented into several small, little-known plots. The vines are located mainly in the communes of Saint-Bris-le-Vineux and Vincelottes, in the Yonne, at the heart of the Auxerrois vineyard and very close to Chablis. The grape varieties cultivated are Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc (the emblematic variety of Saint-Bris, a rare occurrence in Burgundy) and, more recently, Gamay.

The soils are predominantly clay-limestone, Kimmeridgian and Portlandian, terroirs particularly well suited to the precise and mineral expression of the wines. The plot that yields the Màs a Tierra cuvée, for example, was planted in 1990 on the limestone slopes of Vincelottes, with a westward exposure. The vines have been farmed organically since 2020 (in conversion), with an agroforestry approach: planting of trees and hedgerows, attention to biodiversity, respect for living things, use of natural fertilisers and manual work. The objective is clear: to preserve the soils, the ecosystem and the health of the vine in order to produce living and expressive grapes.

Vinifications of Domaine de La Petite Empreinte

In the cellar, Mélissa and Romain extend the gentle, respectful approach adopted in the vineyard. Harvesting is entirely manual, and vinification is carried out systematically with whole clusters for the reds, which brings freshness, finesse and aromatic complexity. Fermentations take place exclusively with indigenous yeasts, naturally present on the berries, without the addition of enzymes or other oenological inputs.

The natural approach is firmly asserted: the wines are produced without any addition of sulphur in the vast majority of cases (with a few rare exceptions, such as the 2020 Saint-Bris, lightly sulphited during ageing). Ageing varies according to the cuvée and vintage: one year in barrel for the Tapis Rouge following a three-week maceration, up to 24 months in barrel for the Persévérance cuvée from Saint-Bris since 2022. The wines are bottled with extreme care, without fining or excessive filtration. The result is wines that are frank, authentic, precise, juicy and energetic, embodying a new generation of natural Burgundy.

The Cuvées of the Domaine de La Petite Empreinte

Saint-Bris Persévérance: the estate's white signature wine, this 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Saint-Bris appellation is a unique case in Burgundy, where Sauvignon is the exception. Since the 2022 vintage, ageing has been extended to 24 months in barrel, lending the wine greater density and increased complexity. The nose opens on notes of citrus, white flowers and flint. The palate is taut, mineral, almost chalky, with a long finish marked by salinity and purity. A singular and masterly interpretation of Sauvignon.

Bourgogne Côtes d'Auxerre Tapis Rouge: the estate's historic red cuvée, this Pinot Noir from the Côtes d'Auxerre embodies the house style: elegance, breadth, controlled power and delicacy. Three-week maceration with whole clusters, aged one year in barrel. The wine offers a broad and silky palate, a nose of a beautiful basket of red fruits, wild strawberries and flowers, and a generous, fresh and energetic finish.

Coteaux Bourguignons Màs a Tierra: a new cuvée introduced in 2022, this Pinot Noir comes from a plot planted in 1990 on the limestone slopes of Vincelottes, with a westward exposure. Manual harvest vinified with 90% whole clusters, long fermentation on indigenous yeasts, without added sulphites. The nose opens on morello cherry, cranberry and wild strawberry, accompanied by herbaceous notes, damp earth and gentle spices. The palate, lively and silky, combines fine tannins, refreshing acidity and a persistent finish with notes of red fruits and minerality. A Pinot Noir like a flow of red silk, fluid and airy.

Coteaux Bourguignons Gamay (magnum): second Coteaux Bourguignons cuvée introduced in 2022, this 100% Gamay is available exclusively in magnum. The wine stands out for its pure expression of the grape variety, its vibrant fruitiness, its crunchy freshness and its infectious energy. A vibrant Gamay, a perfect reflection of the natural sensibility of this young duo.