Claire Naudin

History of Domaine Naudin-Ferrand

The history of Domaine Naudin-Ferrand is a family saga dating back to 1500, when the Naudin ancestors were already cultivating vines in Burgundy. This rich heritage has been passed down from generation to generation, each era bringing its share of renewal and passion. The estate as we know it today took shape in 1964, when Henri Naudin, the son of vine growers, married Liliane Ferrand. Together, they officially founded Domaine Naudin-Ferrand and began marketing their wines under this label. From this union were born three daughters: Anne, Marie and Claire. At a time when male succession was the norm, Henri considered in the 1990s dismantling the estate, for lack of a male heir. But that was without reckoning with Claire, the youngest, who, after studying agronomy and gaining experience in Australia and New Zealand, returned in 1991 to take the reins.

In 1994, Claire Naudin officially became the estate manager, marking the beginning of a new era. Armed with a modern vision and a deep respect for her roots, she quickly made her mark. Refusing the interventionist methods learned at school, she opted for a reasoned and sustainable viticulture, inspired by her travels and her attachment to the Burgundian terroir. For more than 20 years, she has led this estate with boldness and determination, defying conventions in a region where traditions are sacred. Today, surrounded by a team of eight full-time staff, Claire perpetuates a centuries-old expertise while innovating to produce wines that appeal to enthusiasts the world over.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Naudin-Ferrand

Located in Magny-lès-Villers, a unique village at the crossroads of the Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune and Hautes-Côtes de Nuits appellations, Domaine Naudin-Ferrand benefits from an exceptional location. Its 22 hectares of vines are divided between 80% regional appellations, principally the Hautes-Côtes, and 20% prestigious crus, including Aloxe-Corton, Ladoix 1er Cru "La Corvée", Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru "Les Damodes" and Échezeaux Grand Cru. This diversity reflects the estate's deep roots in the Hautes-Côtes, a region whose appellation was created in 1961 and which Claire Naudin has been able to elevate through an attentive and thoughtful approach.

The Hautes-Côtes vineyards, perched between 280 and 550 meters in altitude, benefit from south- and west-facing slopes, capturing optimal sunshine to compensate for a cooler climate. The soils, composed of marl and white limestone, give the wines a distinctive minerality and natural acidity — precious assets in the face of the challenges of climate change. Claire Naudin spent years exploring these terroirs, analyzing their microclimates, subsoils and grape varieties — pinot noir, chardonnay, aligoté — to extract their full richness.

The viticulture practiced is resolutely sustainable: chemical weeding is being phased out, replaced by controlled ground cover that limits erosion and regulates yields. Soil work, carried out gently, encourages roots to plunge deep, reducing the impact of rainfall on grape dilution and strengthening terroir expression. Disease management relies on careful observation, with targeted treatments only when necessary, often through biological methods such as sexual confusion. Refusing organic certification by choice of freedom, Claire adapts her practices to each plot, preserving biodiversity and soil vitality. This ecological management makes Domaine Naudin-Ferrand a model of reasoned viticulture, where each vine contributes to the unique identity of the wines.

Winemaking by Claire Naudin

At Domaine Naudin-Ferrand, winemaking is a minimalist art, aimed at allowing the grape and the terroir to express themselves fully. Claire Naudin, after experimenting with modern techniques in the 1990s (micro-oxygenation, reverse osmosis), opted for an intuitive and artisanal approach, often without sulfites, close to natural wines. This philosophy guides every step, from harvest to bottling.

Harvests, carried out 90% by hand, are followed by rigorous sorting to retain only healthy and ripe grapes. Since 1999, the modernized winery has eliminated aggressive pumping: transfers are done by gravity or compressed air, preserving the integrity of the berries. The whites are pressed as whole clusters in long cycles (2h30 to 3h30) to avoid unwanted phenolic compounds, while the reds can be whole-cluster fermented in exceptional vintages, a method that magnifies the raw material.

A pioneer in the reduced use of sulfites, Claire vinifies approximately 80% of her production without added SO2 during fermentation, a decision motivated by her personal sensitivity and her quest for authenticity. Doses are also reduced during aging and at bottling, relying on rigorous sorting of the grapes (100% healthy and ripe). The estate bans artifices such as exogenous yeasts, enzymes or added tannins, considering that these practices mask imperfections rather than correcting them in the vineyard. The wines are aged on lees without racking after malolactic fermentation, and undergo neither fining nor heavy filtration, thus preserving their living and natural character. Claire prefers to correct defects in the vineyard rather than in the cellar. Even in warm vintages such as 2003, she refuses acidification, adjusting balance through yields and ground cover.

The wines, aged on lees without fining or heavy filtration, retain their natural complexity. Rackings and blending, carried out without pumps, trap aromas in the bottle, while quality corks (49 mm for wines intended for aging) optimize maturation. This rigor, combined with a focus on carbon footprint, makes the wines of Domaine Naudin-Ferrand pure and enduring expressions of Burgundy.

Claire Naudin's cuvées

Domaine Naudin-Ferrand offers a varied range, between classic wines with a light addition of sulfites and natural cuvées vinified without SO2, all bearing the signature of Claire Naudin. Here is the complete list, organized by domaine de production:

Domaine Henri Naudin-Ferrand

Bourgogne Aligoté: A vibrant and mineral white, vinified with a light touch of sulfites for a traditional approach.

Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc: A balanced chardonnay, vinified with a minimum of sulfites, reflecting the terroirs of the Hautes-Côtes.

Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Blanc: Fresh and structured, this white is vinified with a low dose of sulfites for a typical elegance.

Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Rouge: Warm and structured, this pinot noir is vinified with a light addition of sulfites for an approachable style.

Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Rouge: Elegant and fresh, vinified with a touch of sulfites for a traditional expression.

Côte de Nuits-Villages: Deep and harmonious, this wine, vinified with a minimum of sulfites, blends several terroirs.

Claire Naudin

Le Clou 34 (Blanc, Aligoté): A bold aligoté, vinified without sulfites, outside AOC standards for total freedom.

Galanthus Nivalis (Blanc, Pinot Blanc): Delicate and floral, this pinot blanc is vinified without sulfites for natural purity.

Omayga (Rouge, Passetoutgrain): A generous pinot noir-gamay blend, vinified without sulfites for immediate drinkability.

Bourgogne Pinot Noir "La Plante": Light and fruity, this pinot noir is vinified without sulfites, an ode to simplicity.

Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc "Bellis Perennis": Expressive and natural, this chardonnay is vinified without sulfites, evoking the daisy.

Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Blanc "Clematis Vitalba": Subtle and floral, this white is vinified without sulfites, a homage to the clematis.

Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Rouge "Orchis Mascula": Intense and juicy, this pinot noir vinified without sulfites shines on its own or with light dishes.

Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Rouge "Myosotis Arvensis": Complex and earthy, this red vinified without sulfites is reminiscent of the field forget-me-not.

Côte de Nuits-Villages "Viola Odorata": Silky and poetic, this pinot noir vinified without sulfites rivals the grand crus.

Aloxe-Corton: Powerful and refined, this wine is vinified without sulfites to honor this prestigious appellation.

Ladoix 1er Cru "La Corvée": Mineral and structured, this 1er Cru is vinified without sulfites for rare precision.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru "Les Damodes": Refined and complex, this wine vinified without sulfites is a natural jewel.

Échezeaux Grand Cru: The flagship of the estate, this majestic pinot noir is vinified without sulfites for a sublime expression.

BiNaume (Collaboration with Jean-Yves Bizot)

Le Gamay de l'Allié: A fresh and fruity gamay, vinified without sulfites from Saint-Pourçain grapes, in collaboration with Jean-Yves Bizot.

La Plante d'à Côté: A creative cuvée, vinified without sulfites with grapes from outside the estate, combining spontaneity and finesse.

L'Entremetteuse (Wines from the Colchagua Valley, Chile)

Rouge Gorge Sémillon: An exotic and textured white, vinified with a minimalist approach close to the estate's methods.

Rouge Gorge Pinot Noir: Elegant and fruity, this Chilean pinot is vinified in a Burgundian style.

Rouge Gorge Syrah Grenache: Spiced and full-bodied, this bold red follows a respectful winemaking approach.

Rouge Gorge Cabernet Franc Syrah: Powerful and harmonious, this wine reflects an artisanal approach.

This varied range illustrates the ability of Domaine Naudin-Ferrand to elevate each terroir, whether local or distant, with a marked preference for sulfite-free vinification in the cuvées signed by Claire Naudin.

After exploring the unique world of Domaine Naudin-Ferrand, let yourself be tempted by other emblematic estates in the region. Immerse yourself in the elegance of the wines of Prieuré Roch, the artisanal finesse of Fanny Sabre, or the refined tradition of Chandon de Briailles. Do not miss the intense creations of Anne Gros, the precision of Cécile Tremblay, or the historic expertise of Michel Lafarge. For lovers of exceptional pinot noir, Mugneret-Gibourg, Philippe Pacalet, Simon Bize and Sylvain Pataille offer unique tasting experiences that will enrich your discovery of Burgundy. Explore these estates and find your next favorite bottles!

Domaine Naudin-Ferrand, led by Claire Naudin and enriched by her close bond with her husband Jean-Yves Bizot, is an emblematic figure of contemporary Burgundy. Rooted in a history dating back to 1500, it combines tradition and modernity through sustainable viticulture and winemaking often without sulfites, offering wines that reveal the soul of their terroirs. From accessible Hautes-Côtes to grand crus such as Échezeaux, each bottle is a testament to passion and respect for nature. With production ranging between 60,000 and 130,000 bottles per year, the estate appeals to novices and experts alike.