Bruno Lorenzon

History of Domaine Bruno Lorenzon

Domaine Bruno Lorenzon is a family estate founded in the 1920s by Georges Lorenzon, Bruno's grandfather, in Mercurey, at the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise. For decades, the domaine remained modest, passed down from generation to generation with a deep attachment to the local terroir. Bruno Lorenzon, a native of the village of Mercurey, was immersed in this wine-growing culture from childhood, but chose initially to go out and explore the world of wine abroad in order to complete his training.

Bruno spent several years in New Zealand and then South Africa as a viticultural consultant, where he gained a global vision of the trade and a keen sense of winemaking. Upon returning to France, he took on the role of commercial director at the cooperage in Mercurey — a decisive experience that gave him unique expertise in wood, barrels and ageing. In 1997, he officially took over the family estate, which then covered approximately 4.5 hectares, and gradually expanded it to nearly 10 hectares today. Assisted by his sister Carline (whose first name is given to the flagship cuvée), Bruno Lorenzon elevated this little-known property in just a few years to the status of a Burgundian jewel, doubly starred by the RVF and acclaimed by Bettane & Desseauve, Decanter, Vinous and the international press.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Bruno Lorenzon

The vineyard of Domaine Bruno Lorenzon extends over approximately 9 to 10 hectares, located primarily in Mercurey, with a significant extension in Montagny and a few plots in regional Bourgogne. The domaine stands out for its remarkable proportion of Premiers Crus, which account for nearly 80% of the surface area. The soils, predominantly clay-limestone with a high proportion of active limestone, share the same geological characteristics as those of the great neighbours of the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits, which explains the mineral finesse and aromatic precision of the wines. Bruno Lorenzon produces approximately 60% whites (including Montagny) and 40% reds, from Burgundy's two emblematic grape varieties, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The viticultural approach is exemplary: no herbicides or synthetic products for over thirty years, Ecocert organic certification (without displaying it on the label), manual soil work, and very precise pruning to perfect the balance of each vine. The most striking singularity lies in the high planting density, which reaches up to 20,000 vines per hectare — double the Burgundian standard. This density creates natural competition between the vines, encouraging deep roots and concentrated grapes. Bruno Lorenzon's philosophy is summed up by his favourite phrase: "a good grape is 90% of the work". The winemaker sees himself as a simple revealer of the quintessence of his terroir.

Winemaking at Domaine Bruno Lorenzon

In the cellar, Bruno Lorenzon's exacting standards are legendary. Harvesting is done by hand, in small crates to preserve the integrity of the berries. Foot-treading is practised for the reds, and observers describe the hygiene as drastic. In recent years, Bruno Lorenzon has progressively introduced whole-bunch vinification on certain cuvées — a delicate technique that brings freshness, tension and aromatic complexity to the wines. No chaptalization, no acidification: the winemaker allows each vintage to fully express its identity.

Ageing is the other signature of the domaine, a direct consequence of Bruno's time at the cooperage. The winemaker designs his own barrels, carefully selects the wood in Burgundy and has it dried for three years on the property before use. This total mastery allows him to adapt each barrel to each cuvée, in a perfect dialogue between the wine and its container. No excessive wood imprint: on the contrary, the ageing reveals the purity of the fruit and the minerality of the terroirs. The resulting wines are of rare precision, combining structure and elegance, depth and tension, in an uncompromising style that places Domaine Bruno Lorenzon among the finest contemporary signatures of Burgundy.

The Cuvées of Domaine Bruno Lorenzon

Bourgogne Clos Alfred: A white Bourgogne from a small 0.8-hectare plot located close to the finest terroirs of Mercurey. A very fresh, chiselled Chardonnay that unmistakably bears the precise and mineral touch of Bruno Lorenzon. An ideal entry point into the world of the domaine.

Bourgogne Les 16 Ouvrées: a Bourgogne cuvée from a small plot (16 ouvrées, approximately 0.7 hectares). A mineral, fresh and precise wine, faithful to the haute couture signature of the domaine, demonstrating that excellence begins from the entry level.

Mercurey Le Chapitre: a village-level red cuvée from shallow clay-limestone soils with a high proportion of active limestone. A precise and refined Pinot Noir, with a silky attack, a fresh and mineral backbone, perfectly integrated fine tannins, marked by red fruits, floral notes and a beautiful energy.

Mercurey Cuvée 36: an elegant village-level cuvée bearing the domaine's signature, expressing the generosity and straightforwardness of the Mercurey appellation. A balanced, pleasure-driven wine with vibrant fruit and a fine-grained texture.

Mercurey Premier Cru Les Champs Martin Blanc: The domaine's emblematic white Premier Cru, vinified from Chardonnay on one of the finest climats of Mercurey. A taut, saline wine with a sharp mineral backbone, menthol and floral notes on the finish, built for long ageing.

Mercurey Premier Cru Les Champs Martin Rouge: the red version of the domaine's favourite climat. A Pinot Noir of great purity, at once intense, chiselled and deeply expressive. A brilliant ruby robe, a nose of fresh red fruits (cherry, redcurrant, raspberry), a taut, mineral and saline palate, fine and silky tannins, a long and vibrant finish.

Mercurey Premier Cru Les Champs Martin Cuvée Carline: the domaine's absolute flagship cuvée, named after Carline, Bruno's sister who assists him at the estate. A Pinot Noir of contained power, combining relief, tannic firmness and enveloping juice. A wine of very great ageing potential that demands patience, and one of the finest signatures of the Côte Chalonnaise.

Mercurey Premier Cru Les Croichots: A Premier Cru with a more oak-driven profile, boasting more richness than Champs Martin. A balanced and elegant Pinot Noir, a perfect embodiment of Lorenzon's precision, with silky and profound texture.

Mercurey Premier Cru Clos des Barraults: An athletic and firm Premier Cru that demonstrates the winemaker's mastery in sometimes challenging vintages. A classy Pinot Noir with a noble tannic structure and a distinguished length.

Mercurey Premier Cru Pièce 13: A Premier Cru with an evocative name, a tribute to the barrel number. A wine with a deep ruby robe and purple highlights, a nose of black cherry, blackberry, liquorice and floral notes, elegant and well-integrated tannins, and a persistent, harmonious finish.

Mercurey Premier Cru Pièce 15: another single-barrel cuvée from a numbered barrel. A precise, chiselled Pinot Noir that reflects Bruno Lorenzon's perfectionist pursuit in every detail of the ageing process.

Montagny Premier Cru Les Truffières: A white Premier Cru from Montagny, sourced from a renowned climat. A taut and mineral Chardonnay, sublimated by the winemaker's haute couture mastery of winemaking and ageing, demonstrating the often underestimated qualitative potential of Montagny.

Montagny Premier Cru Les Monts Laurent (Le Mont Laurent): another white Premier Cru from Montagny, a complementary expression of the appellation's potential. A fresh and precise Chardonnay, with pure fruit and assertive minerality, faithful to the domaine's straight-lined signature.