Domaine d'Auvenay

History of Domaine d'Auvenay

The history of Domaine d'Auvenay begins in 1868 with the founding of Maison Leroy, a négociant business created by François Leroy, the ancestor of Lalou Bize-Leroy. It was in 1955 that Lalou, then aged 23, joined the family enterprise, defying the conventions of a wine world then dominated by men. Her passion for wine, inherited from her father Henri Leroy, co-owner of the legendary Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, led her to become fully involved in the négociant business and, later, in the management of Romanée-Conti from 1974 to 1992. In 1988, Lalou marked a decisive turning point by founding Domaine Leroy and developing Domaine d'Auvenay, named after her fortified farmhouse in Saint-Romain. This estate, which she inherited in 1980 and of which she acquired full ownership in 1990, became the theatre of her most audacious ambitions. With an uncompromising vision, Lalou Bize-Leroy applied biodynamic practices from the outset, transforming this small estate into a world reference. Today, the wines of Domaine d'Auvenay are cult objects, sought after by collectors and enthusiasts for their rarity and exceptional quality.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine d'Auvenay

Domaine d'Auvenay extends over 3.87 hectares, spread across 16 prestigious appellations, including grand crus and emblematic terroirs of the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits. Among the jewels of the estate, one finds the white grands crus such as Chevalier-Montrachet, Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet, as well as the red grands crus Bonnes-Mares and Mazis-Chambertin. The plots, often minuscule, benefit from meticulous care, with yields deliberately limited to approximately 15 hectolitres per hectare, well below Burgundian standards.

Lalou Bize-Leroy's biodynamic approach is at the heart of vineyard management. Each vine is treated as an individual, with replacements carried out exclusively through massal selections to preserve genetic diversity. The vines, sometimes a century old, are cultivated without herbicides or pesticides, encouraging rich biodiversity in the soils. The trellising technique, whereby the canes are wound rather than pruned, respects the plant's natural cycle and produces concentrated, aromatic grapes. Herbal teas made from plants such as chamomile, comfrey and rosemary are used to strengthen the vitality of the vines, making the vineyard a true living garden. This philosophy, rooted in respect for living things, endows the wines of Domaine d'Auvenay with a unique energy and purity — a true reflection of their exceptional terroirs.

Winemaking at Domaine d'Auvenay

Winemaking at Domaine d'Auvenay is an art in which every detail matters. The harvest, exclusively manual, is carried out by a dedicated team of several dozen people who rigorously sort each bunch. The grapes, transported by refrigerated truck at 5°C, preserve their freshness all the way to the cellar. The whites, primarily from Chardonnay, are pressed with great care, often using a manual press for the smaller plots such as Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet. The reds, from Pinot Noir, undergo a berry-by-berry sorting, where the central rachis is removed by hand to preserve the integrity of the berries and avoid unwanted tannins.

Fermentations take place in bespoke wooden vats, tailored to each plot, using indigenous yeasts to respect the identity of the terroir. The wines are aged in new barrels from Tonnellerie François Frères, selected for their fine grain and light toasting, ensuring perfect integration of the wood. The whites rest on their lees for sometimes two winters, while the reds are racked after malolactic fermentation and bottled according to the lunar calendar. Without fining or filtration, the wines retain their authenticity, offering an unrivalled texture and complexity. This artisanal approach — true haute couture of wine — makes the cuvées of Domaine d'Auvenay absolute references in Burgundy.

The Cuvées of Domaine d'Auvenay

Domaine d'Auvenay produces approximately 10,000 bottles per year, spread across a range of exceptional cuvées, each reflecting a unique terroir. 

Bourgogne Aligoté Sous Chatelet: From a 0.33-hectare plot, this wine proves that Aligoté can rival the greatest. With a production of approximately 1,100 bottles per year, it offers vibrant minerality and remarkable freshness. Vintages: 2000–2016.

Auxey-Duresses Village: A blend of the Les Clous, Les Boutonniers and La Macabrée plots, this wine reveals the finesse of the Auxey-Duresses terroirs. Production: approximately 1,650 bottles. Vintages: 1998–2007.

Auxey-Duresses Les Boutonniers: With vines aged 82 years, this wine from 0.25 hectares offers a rare concentration for a village wine, with approximately 700 bottles per year. Vintages: 1990–2006.

Auxey-Duresses Les Clous: On 0.29 hectares, this wine produces approximately 1,100 bottles, combining elegance and structure. Vintages: 2000–2009.

Auxey-Duresses La Macabrée: A 0.63-hectare plot producing approximately 1,650 bottles, this wine is a rare gem, celebrated for its depth. Vintages: 2002–2009.

Meursault Village: A blend of the Narvaux, Chaumes des Perrières and Pré de Manche plots, offering a silky texture and beautiful complexity. Vintages: 2001–2014.

Meursault Pré de Manche: From 0.1 hectares, this rare wine is sometimes incorporated into the Meursault blend. Vintages: 2004–2007.

Meursault Chaumes des Perrières: A 0.08-hectare plot, classified as village but rivalling premiers crus. Limited production. Vintages: 1998–2007.

Meursault Les Narvaux: With 0.67 hectares and 1,800 bottles per year, this wine captivates with its power and finesse. Vintages: 1996–2013.

Meursault Premier Cru Les Gouttes d'Or: A 0.19-hectare plot producing 700 bottles, this wine is a model of elegance. Vintages: 1996–2014.

Puligny-Montrachet Les Enseignières: A recent acquisition, this village wine offers remarkable purity. Vintages: 2012–2015.

Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Folatières: On 0.26 hectares, this wine of 800 bottles embodies the quintessence of Puligny. Vintages: 1989–2013.

Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru En la Richarde: A 0.21-hectare plot producing 650 bottles, this wine is of extreme rarity. Vintages: 2001–2009.

Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru: A minuscule 0.11 hectares producing 300 bottles, this grand cru is a monument of concentration. Vintages: 1990–2011.

Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru: Acquired in 2012, this wine from 0.3 hectares is a recent addition, already legendary. Vintages: 2012–2015.

Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru: On 0.16 hectares, this wine of 500 bottles is often considered the pinnacle of Burgundian whites. Vintages: 1992–2013.

Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru: A 0.26-hectare plot producing 780 bottles, this red wine is a masterpiece of elegance. Vintages: 1993–2014.

Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru: With 0.26 hectares and 550 bottles, this wine offers remarkable intensity and structure. Vintages: 1994–2014.

Domaine d'Auvenay is an ode to Burgundy, to biodynamics and to the uncompromising vision of Lalou Bize-Leroy. Each bottle, born of minuscule yields and painstaking craftsmanship, is an invitation to discover the soul of Burgundian terroirs. Immerse yourself in the world of Domaine d'Auvenay and let yourself be captivated by the magic of Lalou Bize-Leroy!