La Petite Empreinte

History of Domaine de La Petite Empreinte

The story of Domaine de La Petite Empreinte is one of an encounter — that of Mélissa Bazin and Romain De Moor, two young winegrowers united by a shared passion for living and natural wines. Mélissa, originally from Ardèche, discovered wine during a three-month placement with several figures of the Ardèche natural wine scene, including Sylvain Bock, Les Deux Terres, Jérôme Jouret, Gérald Oustric and Gilles Azzoni. She then pursued a BTS in Viticulture and Oenology through a work-study programme at the highly regarded Domaine Labet, in the Jura.

Romain, for his part, comes from the family of the celebrated Chablis winegrowers Alice and Olivier De Moor. From 2015, he accumulated formative experiences at Marcel Lapierre in Beaujolais, Fabien Jouves in the South-West, then completed 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 at the beginning of 2020. Together, they then created Domaine de La Petite Empreinte by taking over 0.76 to 0.90 hectares of vines in Saint-Bris and Côtes d'Auxerre. Their first vintage, 2020, was vinified in the family cellar of Domaine De Moor. Since the 2022 vintage, the estate has expanded with two new cuvées under the Coteaux Bourguignons appellation.

Terroirs and Vineyards 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 primarily 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 (an 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 hillsides of Vincelottes, west-facing. 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.

Winemaking at Domaine de La Petite Empreinte

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

The natural approach is fully embraced: the wines are crafted with no added sulphur in the vast majority of cases (with a few rare exceptions, such as the Saint-Bris 2020, lightly sulphited during ageing). Ageing varies according to the cuvée and vintage: one year in barrels for the Tapis Rouge after 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 expressed in frank, authentic, precise, juicy and energetic wines that embody a new generation of natural Burgundy.

The Cuvées of 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 a denser texture and greater 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 weeks of maceration with whole bunches, one year of ageing in barrel. The wine offers an ample and silky palate, a nose of a beautiful basket of red fruits, wild strawberries and flowers, and a gourmand, fresh and energetic finish.

Coteaux Bourguignons Màs a Tierra: A new cuvée that appeared in 2022, this Pinot Noir comes from a plot planted in 1990 on the limestone hillsides of Vincelottes, west-facing. Hand-harvested grapes vinified with 90% whole bunches, long fermentation on indigenous yeasts, with no 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): The second Coteaux Bourguignons cuvée to appear 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 the young duo.