Pascal Prunier Bonheur

History of Domaine Pascal Prunier-Bonheur

Pascal Prunier was born in Auxey-Duresses into a family of winegrowers established there for several generations. He founded his estate in 1983 and quickly became a trusted name in the Côte de Beaune. In 1999, he married Christine Bonheur, a trained engineer who had worked for several years at Maison Joseph Drouhin. In recognition of her role in their venture, the couple put both names on the label in 2000: the estate became Prunier-Bonheur and moved from Auxey-Duresses to Meursault.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Pascal Prunier-Bonheur

The vineyard covers around eight hectares, divided into plots of varying sizes across six Côte de Beaune villages: Saint-Romain, Auxey-Duresses, Meursault, Monthélie, Pommard, and Beaune. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grow on clay-limestone soils with widely varied exposures, from the cool heights of Saint-Romain to the sunny slopes of Beaune. This diversity allows the estate to offer seventeen appellations, from Coteaux Bourguignons to Premiers Crus.

Viticulture is sustainable and draws heavily on organic and biodynamic farming. The soils are plowed to avoid herbicides, treatments are applied judiciously, and the lunar calendar guides work in both the vineyard and the winery. The harvest date is carefully chosen so the grapes are picked at optimal ripeness.

Winemaking at Domaine Pascal Prunier-Bonheur

The grapes are sorted in the vineyard and then on a vibrating table, retaining only perfectly healthy fruit. Fermentations use indigenous yeasts. The whites ferment in oak barrels. The reds are mostly destemmed: depending on the cuvée and vintage, the estate retains no more than 10% of the stems.

Barrel aging lasts eleven to eighteen months, with a measured proportion of new oak—between 10 and 20% depending on the cuvée. This approach preserves the purity of the fruit and the minerality of the terroirs while giving the wines depth and complexity.

The Wines of Domaine Pascal Prunier-Bonheur

Saint-Romain Blanc “La Combe Bazin”: one of the estate’s signature cuvées. From a high-altitude terroir, this white impresses with its freshness, tension, and finely etched minerality.

Auxey-Duresses Blanc “Les Crais”: Pascal Prunier-Bonheur counts this cuvée among his favorites. Elegant and precise, this white combines floral notes, white fruit, and lively freshness.

Auxey-Duresses Blanc “Vieilles Vignes”: made from old vines, this white has greater concentration and richness. It offers generous texture and a long finish.

Monthélie Blanc “Les Toisières”: this rare, fruity, mineral cuvée has a soft, balanced profile. It is a delightful discovery from an appellation best known for its reds.

Beaune Blanc “Clos Saint-Désiré”: this little-known clos produces an elegant, inviting Chardonnay with a silky texture and well-integrated oak.

Meursault “Les Clous”: from a named site high above Meursault, this mineral, lively wine has beautiful purity and ages gracefully.

Meursault “Les Grands Charrons”: this characterful Meursault offers tension and vibrancy. A little reserved when young, it benefits from decanting or a few years in the cellar.

Meursault “Vieilles Vignes”: this blend from old vines expresses the appellation’s classic generosity, with buttery notes, hazelnut, and ripe fruit supported by lovely freshness.

Coteaux Bourguignons Rouge “Le P'tit Bonheur”: supple and easy-drinking, with red berry aromas, this red is a natural match for simple meals shared with friends and family.

Bourgogne Pinot Noir: this fruity, easy-drinking Pinot Noir offers cherry and raspberry over delicate tannins. It is an ideal introduction to the estate’s reds.

Saint-Romain Rouge “Sous le Château”: lightly peppery, fresh, and inviting, this red is especially enjoyable young.

Auxey-Duresses Rouge: this typical village wine combines red fruit, structure, and freshness. It has impressive substance for the appellation.

Monthélie Rouge: supple and aromatic, with fine tannins, this Pinot Noir charmingly expresses this village neighboring Volnay.

Beaune Rouge “Les Bons Feuvres”: round and fruity, with notes of black cherry and sweet spice, this Beaune is beautifully balanced.

Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru “Les Duresses”: this is one of the village’s finest terroirs. Made from old vines, this flagship cuvée combines substance, elegance, and excellent aging potential.

Monthélie 1er Cru “Les Vignes Rondes”: situated almost at the heart of the village, this premier cru produces a dense, structured wine. It needs a little patience before revealing its full expression.

Beaune 1er Cru “Les Sizies”: this premier cru develops a pure, elegant nose of red fruit and fresh cherry. It is harmonious on the palate, with silky tannins.

Pommard: this village wine displays the appellation’s full-bodied character, with notes of black fruit and spice and a structure built to age.

Pommard 1er Cru “Le Refène”: the pinnacle of the red wine range. This powerful, refined premier cru offers deep fruit, firm tannins, and a long finish.