Chandon de Briailles

The History of Domaine Chandon de Briailles

The estate was founded in 1834 by Claude Guillemot, who assembled its vineyards throughout the 19th century across a series of appellations, all in the Côte de Beaune. By 1900, the property already had 14 hectares of vines spread across Pernand-Vergelesses, Savigny-lès-Beaune and the hill of Corton—an arrangement that has remained virtually unchanged. For more than a century, all its wines were sold to Beaune wine merchants, as was customary at the time.

Everything changed in 1980, when Nadine de Nicolaÿ, related to the founder by marriage, took charge of the property. She vinified the entire 1982 harvest and began building a direct customer base. Soon nicknamed “the countess in sneakers” for her energy and constant presence in the vineyards, she gave up chemical herbicides in 1988 in favor of mechanical soil cultivation—a decision far ahead of its time. Her children François and Claude de Nicolaÿ succeeded her around the turn of the millennium, with François taking the reins in 2001. Convinced of the merits of biodynamic methods, they began the estate’s official conversion in 2008 and obtained Ecocert and Demeter certifications in 2011. Since then, the estate has established itself as a benchmark worldwide, recognized for its ability to produce Burgundies unlike any others.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Chandon de Briailles

The vineyards cover just under 14 hectares, entirely within the Côte de Beaune, across three complementary areas: Savigny-lès-Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses and the hill of Corton, plus a parcel in Aloxe-Corton and a notable venture into Volnay. The gently rounded hill of Corton is home both to the famed Corton-Charlemagne vineyards and to the Côte de Beaune’s only red grands crus. East-facing and unaffected by cool air flowing through the valleys, these climats allow the grapes to reach optimal ripeness at harvest.

In Pernand-Vergelesses, the estate farms the Île des Vergelesses climat, considered the finest in the village—hence its name, Île, suggesting the best of the whole. Mid-slope and east-facing, it has high-quality iron-rich clays and limestone, with a good incline that ensures excellent drainage. In Savigny-lès-Beaune, the parcels range from deep clay soils at the foot of the slope to much more limestone-rich areas higher up, particularly on the scree that has made Les Lavières renowned. Synthetic products, including herbicides, pesticides and insecticides, have long been prohibited. The soils are plowed, biodynamic preparations are applied according to the lunar calendar, and yields are kept modest to ensure balanced, perfectly healthy grapes.

Winemaking at Domaine Chandon de Briailles

The estate’s style developed against the prevailing trends. At a time when systematic destemming, heavy extraction and new oak dominated Burgundy, Chandon de Briailles was already bottling wines fermented with whole clusters and not a single new barrel. Even today, the proportion of whole clusters reaches 80 to 100% depending on the cuvée and vintage, while new oak never exceeds 20%—a very low figure for Burgundy grands crus.

Fermentation begins spontaneously with only indigenous yeasts, in wooden vats. Extraction is handled very gently, never in pursuit of power. The wine is then carefully transferred by gravity into barrels and larger casks, and aged for about eighteen months without racking or handling. This lack of intervention during aging preserves the wine’s energy and fine texture. The resulting wines often have a pale color, vibrant fruit, silky tannins and a refreshingly saline finish, with aging potential that belies their apparent lightness. Nothing stands still at the estate; the only constant is a commitment to experimentation in pursuit of the best possible expression of each climat.

The Cuvées of Domaine Chandon de Briailles

Savigny-lès-Beaune “Aux Fourneaux”: part of this climat is classified as premier cru and part as village-level. Since the 2018 vintage, the estate has blended two-thirds premier cru grapes with one-third village-level grapes, preferring this exceptional village wine to two separate cuvées. The east-facing vineyard lies at the foot of the slope on deep clay soils, with more limestone higher up. Spontaneous fermentation takes place in wooden vats with 100% whole clusters, followed by eighteen months of aging without racking. The wine combines freshness, lively fruit and generous substance: opulent yet light and wonderfully easy to drink.

Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru “Les Lavières”: one of the appellation’s most renowned climats, named for the limestone slabs beneath its soil. Aromas of ripe berries, peony, spice and sassafras lead into a medium- to full-bodied palate, supple and enveloping, with melting tannins. A velvety, charming premier cru that regularly earns praise from international critics.

Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru “Les Saucours”: a lesser-known climat on the village’s slopes. It produces a taut, precise Pinot Noir with small red berries, a hint of spice, a pronounced mineral backbone and a saline finish. A lovely alternative to Les Lavières, in a more slender style.

Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru “Les Vergelesses”: this premier cru south of the village produces a wine that is both structured and fragrant, with fresh red fruit, spice and flowers. The natural acidity of Pernand’s terroirs gives it remarkable freshness and the ability to age for ten years or more.

Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru “Île des Vergelesses” Rouge: the estate’s signature Pernand cuvée, from the village’s finest climat, mid-slope and east-facing, on high-quality iron-rich clays and limestone. The result is a wine with spice aromas and a powerful, mineral finish that leaves refreshingly saline, iodine-tinged notes. Often compared to a grand cru for its complexity and length.

Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru “Île des Vergelesses” Blanc: the even rarer Chardonnay expression of the same exceptional climat. It combines remarkable chalky tension with aromas of citrus, white flowers and stone, followed by a long, saline finish. A refined white with a fine texture that benefits greatly from a few years in the cellar.

Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Blanc “La Vie Est Belle”: a recent addition to the range with a cheerful name, this cuvée reflects the estate’s enduring spirit of experimentation. The Chardonnay is lively and bright, with citrus and crisp white fruit, a fluid palate, vibrant energy and a clean finish. A refreshing, easy-to-enjoy white that loses none of the estate’s precision.

Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru “Les Valozières”: a premier cru with an excellent position on the hillside, below the Corton Bressandes grand cru and beside Corton Les Paulands. This favorable location on the lower slopes gives it density and depth, with black fruit, spice and a firm mineral backbone. An Aloxe-Corton of real stature, built to age.

Volnay 1er Cru “Les Caillerets”: the estate’s only venture into this storied Côte de Beaune village, on one of its most prestigious climats. Here, Pinot Noir reaches exceptional delicacy, with violet, cherry and gentle spice, lace-fine tannins and a remarkably persistent finish. A rare cuvée produced in very small quantities.

Corton Grand Cru “Les Maréchaudes”: situated on the southeastern flank of the hill, on the Aloxe-Corton side, this grand cru produces an elegant, fragrant wine with ripe red fruit, spice and a floral hint. Less imposing than its neighbors, it charms with its fine texture and saline freshness while retaining the length characteristic of a grand cru.

Corton Grand Cru “Les Bressandes”: one of the most renowned climats on the hill of Corton, facing due east on the lower slope. The wine combines the power and richness of great Corton with remarkably fine tannins and aromas of black fruit, forest floor and spice. A complete grand cru that deserves at least five to ten years of aging.

Corton Grand Cru “Clos du Roi”: considered by many the pinnacle of the hill, this historic climat produces the estate’s deepest, most structured wine. Its tannins are refined and tightly knit, its palate dense and its finish seemingly endless, with black fruit, licorice and mineral notes. A bottle for very long aging that amply rewards patience.

Corton Blanc Grand Cru: an exceptional rarity, this Chardonnay grown on the hill under the Corton appellation rather than Corton-Charlemagne has a distinctive profile. Fuller and more textured than most, it reveals ripe white fruit, almond and deep salinity, with a vibrant backbone that promises graceful development in the cellar.

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru: the estate’s flagship white, grown on the hill’s highest limestone slopes. Vinified and aged with the same restraint as the reds, it combines deep saline minerality, aromas of citrus, white flowers, almond and gentle spice, and remarkable tension. Its structure and length make it a wine for extended aging, to open with fine fish or a celebratory poultry dish after several years of patience.