Antoine Petitprez

History of Domaine Antoine Petitprez

Antoine Petitprez is originally from Tonnerre, in Burgundy. Trained as a biochemical engineer, he quickly realized that industry was not for him. He started over from scratch, completed a vocational diploma in viticulture and oenology, and developed an interest in biodynamics and lunar rhythms. For his agronomy engineering degree, he wrote a thesis on the influence of the Moon on the vine and wine. This founding work reflects a resolutely holistic vision of wine, in which natural cycles guide every gesture in the vineyard as in the cellar.

A globe-trotter at heart, he set off to travel the world, moving from the vineyards of Burgundy to those of Roussillon, with a detour through California and Canada to broaden his knowledge of the vine and wine. Drawing on these experiences, he returned to his native Burgundy and settled in Pommard. In 2008, he created a négociant structure called Uliz and set up a winery in Pommard, where he vinifies grapes from partner winegrowers with whom he works throughout the year.

As his reputation grew, Antoine advised some of the greatest Burgundian estates in their transition to biodynamics: Dujac, Clavelier, Comte Liger-Bel-Air, Méo-Camuzet, Confuron. It is this dual role — elite consultant and independent winemaker — that makes Antoine Petitprez a singular figure in the French wine landscape. More recently, he acquired 1.8 hectares of vines in La Rochepot and Baubigny, in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune, at an altitude of 400 metres, thereby consolidating his Burgundian roots and his ambition to produce estate wines alongside his quality négociant range.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Antoine Petitprez

Domaine Antoine Petitprez is the meeting of two profoundly different wine-growing worlds, united by the same demand for quality and naturalness.

In Burgundy, Antoine carefully selects the finest plots from partner winegrowers committed to organic farming. He has a particular affinity for prestigious appellations such as Gevrey-Chambertin and Pommard, which he vinifies naturally according to a very strict set of specifications. His Burgundian plots cover a broad spectrum of appellations: Bourgogne Aligoté, Bourgogne blanc (Chardonnay), Côte de Nuits-Villages, Santenay and the renowned lieu-dits of Pommard. The clay-limestone soils of the Côte d'Or give the grapes a mineral tension and depth characteristic of great Burgundy. Since acquiring his own vines in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune, Antoine now cultivates directly in biodynamics on high-altitude terroirs with well-preserved exposures.

In Savoie, Antoine Petitprez has established himself at the foot of the Bauges massif, in the commune of Saint-Alban-Leysse. There he cultivates vines from an old 72-year-old massal selection on soils composed of Upper Jurassic limestone scree, a deep mosaic that imparts a great deal of personality to the wines. This high-altitude terroir, bathed in Alpine light and subject to a contrasting mountain climate, produces grapes of unique freshness and minerality. The Savoyard grape varieties — Jacquère, Altesse (Roussette) and Mondeuse Noire — express their full singularity here, far from the codes of conventional wine.

In both vineyard areas, the philosophy is identical: respect for soil life and the plant's cycles, manual harvesting at optimal ripeness for a perfect balance between sugars and acids. Massal selections are favored, guaranteeing genetic diversity in service of terroir expression.

Winemaking at Domaine Antoine Petitprez

Antoine Petitprez's approach in the cellar is as minimalist as his work in the vineyard. Manual harvests, whole-cluster vinification, spontaneous fermentations: Antoine accompanies, pampers, watches over and strives to intervene as little as possible. No exogenous yeasts, no additives, no filtration, no fining: the wines are born and develop freely, guided solely by the discreet hand of the winemaker.

Antoine vinifies a range of wines from rigorously selected grapes, which he ages on average for 18 months. Without additives, generally without added sulfites, with extended aging and whole-cluster infusion vinification, he uses barrels of at least ten wines. The exclusive use of used barrels is deliberate: the aim is to oxygenate the wine without imposing any oaky character, thus preserving the aromatic purity and the expression of the terroir.

Fermentations are triggered naturally by indigenous yeasts and the wine is aged exclusively in used barrels. It is neither filtered nor fined before bottling. For both the Savoyard and Burgundian cuvées, the lunar calendar guides decisions on cellaring, racking and bottling — a natural coherence from a winemaker who has made biodynamics the intellectual foundation of his entire approach.

Whole clusters, delicate macerations, sulfur-free vinifications: Antoine accompanies his wines without rushing them, guiding them to where he wants them to be. The result is striking: wines of remarkable delicacy and precision, at once straight and complex, easy to drink in their youth yet endowed with a real aging potential.

The cuvées of Domaine Antoine Petitprez

Bourgogne Aligoté Les Valendons

Sourced from a plot of Aligoté on clay-limestone soil, this Burgundian white wine is one of the most emblematic cuvées of the domaine. A first impression that is frankly astonishing: on the nose, a fine reductive note of sesame and nutshell, followed by orchard fruits and a hint of roasted almond. On the palate, the wine displays a generous volume and a sharp structure, underpinned by a lively acidity and a persistent salinity. This is an Aligoté of character, far from the watery standards often associated with the grape variety, revealing here all its nobility in the hands of an attentive winemaker. To be served chilled, ideal as an aperitif or with seafood and fresh cheeses.

Bourgogne Blanc La Combe (Chardonnay)

Sourced from the lieu-dit Les Combes, this cuvée is made from Chardonnay meticulously selected from local winegrowers working organically, with an emphasis on ploughing and including biodynamic methods. The wine is lively and reveals energetic notes of citrus and white fruits, flowers and minerals. It is animated by a noble acidity and finishes on a slightly saline register. The Bourgogne Blanc "La Combe" is cast in the same mould as the Aligoté: pure pleasure.

Bourgogne Rouge Roue Libre (Pinot Noir)

The cuvée "Roue Libre" feels like a natural choice. It is an immediate, direct, jovial wine. Made from Burgundian Pinot Noir vinified as whole clusters, this light and fruity red perfectly embodies the domaine's philosophy of freedom and naturalness. Served slightly chilled, it pairs equally well with charcuterie or a roasted poultry dish.

Bourgogne Rouge Les Sorbins (Pinot Noir)

The Bourgogne Les Sorbins gains in body and volume, coating the palate with a sensation of velvet. Sourced from a plot carefully selected for its ripeness and complexity, this wine illustrates Antoine Petitprez's ability to draw the very best from Burgundian Pinot Noir. Aged at length in neutral barrels, it develops a silky structure and remarkable fruity depth. Decant it slightly upon opening to reveal its full amplitude.

Pommard Les Carrelles (Pinot Noir)

Les Carrelles is Antoine's signature wine. A vineyard that holds a special place in his heart: old 87-year-old vines located on the lower slopes of Pommard. A juice of incredible energy, with length, a lingering finish, texture, and a remarkable mouthfeel. It has everything. This cuvée is the quintessence of Antoine Petitprez's work in Burgundy: a natural Pommard, without artifice, expressing with a striking purity the depth and elegance of the Côte de Beaune terroir.

Savoie Blanc Brise de Pente (Jacquère)

Tasting this 100% Jacquère cuvée, one imagines paragliding along the invigorating air currents sweeping down from the mountains. Antoine cultivates vines from an old 72-year-old massal selection that produce little alcohol, lending the wine remarkable freshness and lightness. The eight months spent in used barrels give it just what it needs to breathe. A Savoyard wine of chalky minerality, perfect with a crozets gratin, roasted scallops, or a Savoie cheese.

Savoie Blanc Turbulence (Altesse / Roussette)

Made from Altesse, the royal grape variety of Savoie also known as Roussette, this dry white wine expresses the full tension and aromatic complexity of an exceptional Alpine terroir. Floral and mineral on the nose, with notes of pear, acacia honey and a fine saline touch, it unfolds on the palate with a long, fresh and precise finish. A gastronomic wine, to be paired with crayfish, pike-perch in beurre blanc, or a well-aged Saint-Marcellin.

Savoie Rouge Ascendance / Les Côtes / Coteau de la Mort (Mondeuse Noire)

This Mondeuse from Antoine Petitprez is already fantastic: fruity, floral and spicy. It is all elegance and finesse; the nose is a bouquet of blackberries, violet and peony. The palate shows beautiful freshness, depth, finesse and silkiness. Fresh on small berries, supple tannins, freshness and spice: Mondeuse according to Antoine Petitprez is a revelation for anyone who thought this grape variety rustic. Ideal with grilled red meat or game in sauce.

Savoie Rouge Premier Vol (Mondeuse Noire)

The nose is very expressive with black fruits and pepper — quite complex. On the palate, the texture is captivating and velvety. A true flagship cuvée from the domaine in Savoie, "Premier Vol" is a single-plot selection of Mondeuse from the best-exposed sites, vinified with extreme care and aged for an extended period. A wine of character, to be left to rest in the cellar for two to five years to reveal its full complexity.