Frantz Chagnoleau

History of Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau

The story of Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau begins in 2009, when Frantz and Caroline decided to combine their talents and their deep love of Burgundy to create their own wine estate. A native of Charente-Maritime, Frantz honed his expertise alongside Olivier Merlin, a guiding figure of the Mâconnais and an undisputed master of the region's terroirs. Caroline, an agronomist and oenologist, refined her biological and biodynamic approach to viticulture during a remarkable experience in California at Newton Vineyards in the Napa Valley, before joining the prestigious Domaine des Héritiers du Comte Lafon in Milly-Lamartine, where she worked alongside Dominique Lafon.

Armed with these exceptional backgrounds, Frantz and Caroline made their first vintage in 2010. From its earliest years, the domaine distinguished itself through an uncompromising commitment both in the vineyard and in the cellar, and quickly built a solid reputation among wine lovers and professionals alike. Certified in organic farming by Ecocert since 2012, Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau is regularly cited among the rising stars of southern Burgundy — a reference that lovers of great Mâconnais wines eagerly seek out vintage after vintage.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau

The vineyard of Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau extends over approximately 7 hectares, spread across several communes of the Mâconnais: Saint-Albain, Chasselas, Prissé, Vergisson, and Pierreclos. These carefully selected plots offer a mosaic of terroirs of remarkable diversity, from stony limestone to deep clays, by way of marls with a pronounced minerality.

The entire vineyard is managed under certified organic farming. All the vines are ploughed, thereby encouraging soil life, deep root penetration, and the authentic expression of the terroir in the glass. Yields are rigorously controlled, and harvesting is carried out exclusively by hand, ensuring an optimal selection of grapes. The average age of the vines exceeds 50 years — a precious heritage that gives the wines their complexity, concentration, and ageing ability.

Going even further in their environmental approach, Frantz and Caroline incorporate elements of biodynamics into the management of the vineyard: the use of herbal teas, respect for lunar cycles, and soil work in harmony with natural rhythms. This holistic philosophy aims for a perfect balance between the vine, its soil, and its environment, so that each terroir may express itself in all its singularity.

Winemaking at Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau

Winemaking at Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau rests on a fundamental principle: letting the terroir speak, intervening as little as possible. This low-interventionist approach is reflected from the very first stages of winemaking through the exclusive use of indigenous yeasts — those naturally present on the grape skins and in the cellar. This rare and demanding practice guarantees slow, complex fermentations capable of revealing the full typicity of each plot.

After alcoholic and malolactic fermentations, the wines are kept on their fine lees, thereby preserving their aromatic richness and texture. Ageing takes place in Burgundian barrels, with a precise and measured use of wood — never intrusive, always in service of the fruit and the terroir. Some cuvées then spend time in stainless steel tanks to refine their freshness and finesse before bottling, carried out before the following harvest or after a few additional months depending on the cuvée. A light filtration is performed to stabilise the wines while preserving their complexity. The result: rich, precise wines of great aromatic purity, built for beautiful ageing.

The cuvées of Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau

Mâcon Villages "Clos Saint Pancras"

Le Clos Saint Pancras is the entry-level cuvée of the domaine, yet its quality level is already remarkable. Made from chardonnay grown organically on the clay-limestone soils of the Mâconnais, this cuvée delivers a ripe, expressive wine with aromas dominated by citrus notes and hints of white flowers. The palate is round, fresh, and balanced — ideal to accompany fish and goat's cheese. 

Viré-Clessé "Les Raspillères"

Les Raspillères stands out for its ample, unctuous texture that characterizes this particular terroir of the Viré-Clessé appellation. The nose is generous, with ripe yellow fruits, citrus, and a buttery touch. The palate unfolds a rich texture, carried by a fine tension that gives it dynamism and length. Aging in Burgundian barrels for 9 months on the lees adds an extra layer of complexity without ever masking the terroir. 

Saint-Véran "Prélude"

Prélude is the domaine's introductory cuvée to the Saint-Véran appellation — and what an introduction! Mineral, pure, and of exemplary finesse, this wine perfectly embodies the domaine's signature: a fine, perfectly integrated oakiness, limestone and floral aromas, a precise, taut, ultra-digestible palate with a beautiful aromatic persistence. 

Saint-Véran "La Roche"

La Roche expresses a rocky, limestone terroir that lends the wine a beautiful freshness and a characteristic mineral tension. The nose is floral and fruity, elegant, while the palate shows finesse and balance, with a very seductive saline finish.

Saint-Véran "À La Côte"

With À La Côte, Frantz Chagnoleau explores a slightly riper maturity that brings more charm and roundness to the wine. The style remains focused on finesse and balance, but with added volume and generosity on the palate. Rated among the finest cuvées of the appellation in several professional tastings, this Saint-Véran is a wonderful discovery for lovers of expressive white Burgundy.

Saint-Véran "La Fournaise"

La Fournaise is a more sun-drenched cuvée, whose evocatively named plot produces a wine with aromas of well-ripened yellow fruits and gentle spices. The palate is generous and flavourful, with a beautiful depth. A Saint-Véran to enjoy in its youth as well as after a few years of cellaring.

Saint-Véran "Montchanin"

Sourced from a specific terroir around the hamlet of Montchanin, the grapes give rise to a wine of beautiful aromatic complexity and great precision. Both mineral and fruity, this Saint-Véran reflects the diversity of terroirs that Frantz Chagnoleau knows so well how to work.

Saint-Véran "Pré Jaux"

Pré Jaux is undoubtedly the most austere and structured cuvée in the Saint-Véran range. Powerful and taut, it requires a few years in the cellar to fully open up and reveal all its complexity. Lovers of age-worthy wines will appreciate its precision and exceptional ageing potential.

Pouilly-Fuissé "Pastoral"

Pastoral is regularly described as the domaine's flagship cuvée by lovers and critics alike. Sourced from Pouilly-Fuissé terroirs with limestone soils, it offers a remarkable nose combining ripe fruits (pear, peach), delicate florals, and a hint of honey. The palate is at once ample and taut, with impeccable balance, and a long, saline finish.

Pouilly-Fuissé "Madrigal"

Madrigal is the most ambitious cuvée of the domaine. Sourced from the terroirs of Vergisson, it benefits from a more pronounced aging that lends it an imposing structure and a striking minerality. The nose, complex and deep, blends yellow fruits, floral notes, and an elegant oakiness. The palate is concentrated, taut, with great length. Madrigal requires at least five years of cellaring to fully open up and reveal all its finesse.

Bourgogne Blanc "Le Carruge"

The latest addition to the range, the cuvée Le Carruge takes its name from the lieu-dit where the estate is located in Pierreclos. It is a Bourgogne Blanc of great straightforwardness, fruity, fresh, expressing all the expertise of the domaine in a more everyday register.