Frantz Chagnoleau

History of Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau

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

Armed with this exceptional training, Frantz and Caroline produced their first vintage in 2010. From its early years, the estate distinguished itself through absolute rigor in the vineyard and cellar, and quickly built a solid reputation among wine enthusiasts and professionals. Certified in organic agriculture 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 Vineyards of Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau

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

The entire vineyard is managed in certified organic agriculture. All vines are plowed, thus promoting soil life, deep root penetration and authentic expression of terroir in the glass. Yields are rigorously controlled, and harvests are exclusively done by hand, guaranteeing optimal selection of grapes. The average age of the vines exceeds 50 years, a precious seniority that gives the wines their complexity, concentration and aging ability.

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

Winemaking at Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau

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

After alcoholic and malolactic fermentations, the wines are kept on their fine lees, thus preserving their aromatic richness and texture. Aging takes place in Burgundian barrels, with precise and measured use of wood, never invasive, always serving the fruit and terroir. Some cuvées then benefit from 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 cuvées. Light filtration is practiced to stabilize the wines while preserving their complexity. The result: rich, precise wines of great aromatic purity, crafted for beautiful aging.

The wines of Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau

Mâcon Villages "Clos Saint Pancras"

Clos Saint Pancras is the entry-level cuvée of the estate, but its quality level is already remarkable. Made from Chardonnay cultivated in organic agriculture on clay-limestone soils of the Mâconnais, this cuvée delivers a ripe, expressive wine, with aromas dominated by citrus notes and touches of white flowers. The palate is round, fresh, balanced, ideal to accompany fish and goat cheeses. 

Viré-Clessé "Les Raspillères"

Les Raspillères stands out with its ample and unctuous texture that characterizes this particular terroir of the Viré-Clessé appellation. The nose is generous, revealing ripe yellow fruits, citrus notes and a buttery touch. The palate displays a rich texture, supported by beautiful tension that provides dynamism and length. Aging in Burgundian barrels for 9 months on the lees brings additional complexity without ever masking the terroir. 

Saint-Véran "Prélude"

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

Saint-Véran "La Roche"

La Roche expresses a rocky and limestone terroir that gives the wine beautiful freshness and characteristic mineral tension. The nose is floral and fruity, elegant, while the palate is fine, balanced, with a very attractive saline finish.

Saint-Véran "À La Côte"

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

Saint-Véran "La Fournaise"

La Fournaise is a more solar cuvée, whose evocatively named parcel produces a wine with aromas of very ripe yellow fruits and sweet spices. The palate is generous, flavorful, with beautiful depth. A Saint-Véran to enjoy in its youth as well as after a few years of aging.

Saint-Véran "Montchanin"

From a specific terroir around the hamlet of Montchanin, the grapes give birth 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 exploit.

Saint-Véran "Pré Jaux"

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

Pouilly-Fuissé "Pastoral"

Pastoral is regularly presented as the estate's favorite cuvée by enthusiasts and critics. From Pouilly-Fuissé terroirs with limestone soils, it offers a remarkable nose combining ripe fruits (pear, peach), delicate florals and a touch of honey. The palate is both ample and tense, with impeccable balance, on a long and saline finish.

Pouilly-Fuissé "Madrigal"

Madrigal is the estate's most ambitious cuvée. From the terroirs of Vergisson, it benefits from more pronounced aging that gives it an imposing structure and striking minerality. The nose, complex and deep, blends yellow fruits, floral notes and elegant oak. The palate is concentrated, tense, with great length. Madrigal requires at least five years of aging to fully blossom and reveal all its finesse.

Bourgogne Blanc "Le Carruge"

The latest addition to the range, the Le Carruge cuvée takes its name from the place where the estate is located in Pierreclos. It is a Bourgogne blanc of beautiful frankness, fruity, fresh, expressing all the estate's expertise in a more everyday register.