Domaine de l'Enclos

History of le domaine de l'Enclos

Le domaine de l'Enclos is a rising star of the Chablis vineyard, yet its roots run deep in the region's viticultural history. Founded by brothers Romain and Damien Bouchard, fourth-generation winemakers, the estate draws on a family heritage begun in the 1950s by their grandparents, Gabrielle and André Tremblay. They planted iconic vines, notably in the prestigious Grand Cru Les Clos in 1964. Their father, Pascal Bouchard, ran a well-regarded négociant house until its sale in 2015, leaving the brothers a viticultural estate of 29 hectares.

In 2016, Romain and Damien joined their talents to create an estate in their own image, combining rigor, passion and respect for nature. Housed in a majestic 19th-century property, formerly the residence of the monks of the Abbey of Pontigny, the estate was equipped with a partially underground winery designed for gravity-fed vinification that is respectful of the grapes. This new era marked the beginning of an adventure where tradition and innovation come together to produce organic wines of exceptional quality, quickly recognized as a benchmark in Chablis.

Terroirs and Vines of le domaine de l'Enclos

Le domaine de l'Enclos spans 29 hectares, covering the four Chablis appellations: Petit Chablis (1.7 ha), Chablis (approximately 12 ha), Premiers Crus (8 ha) and Grands Crus (1.5 ha). These vines, located in the communes of Chablis, La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne and Beine, benefit from Kimmeridgian clay-limestone soils rich in marine fossils, which give the wines their mineral signature and unique freshness. Among the exceptional terroirs, one finds historic plots such as Les Clos, planted in 1964, or Vau de Vey, a fresh and promising Premier Cru.

Viticulture is at the heart of the Bouchard brothers' work. Certified organic since 2018, the vines are carefully cultivated using respectful practices: Poussard pruning, organic fertilizers, hoeing and cover cropping to preserve soil life. Treatments are limited to natural products such as copper, sulfur and plant-based preparations. Harvesting, done by hand for the Premiers and Grands Crus, ensures rigorous grape selection, while certain Chablis and Petit Chablis plots are harvested mechanically to optimize the harvest period. With a team of 18 permanent staff, reinforced during the harvest, the estate strives to extract the best from each plot.

Vinifications of le domaine de l'Enclos

The philosophy of le domaine de l'Enclos is rooted in a natural and minimalist vinification approach, aiming to express the purity of the terroir. Since 2016, the grapes are vinified in a modern 450 m² gravity-fed winery, partially underground, where temperatures are regulated to preserve the quality of the juices. Harvested at full ripeness, the grapes are sorted on a vibrating table, pneumatically pressed, and the juices then flow by gravity into stainless steel tanks or French oak barrels.

No inputs, apart from a moderate addition of sulfur, are used during fermentation, which is carried out with indigenous yeasts to preserve the authenticity of the fruit. The wines are aged on fine lees for 10 to 18 months — in tanks for the Chablis and Petit Chablis, and in barrels for the Premiers and Grands Crus — offering increased complexity. Without fining or cold stabilization, the wines retain their natural character, with light filtration before bottling. This patient and respectful approach produces vibrant cuvées, balanced between richness, freshness and minerality.

The Cuvées of le domaine de l'Enclos

Le domaine de l'Enclos offers a range of cuvées that celebrate the diversity of Chablis terroirs.

Petit Chablis (1.7 ha): From 1980s vines on Portlandian soils, this indulgent and aromatic wine captivates with its freshness and fruity aromas. Ideal for drinking in its youth.

Chablis (approx. 12 ha): A blend of thirty-year-old plots, this Chablis offers a perfect balance between ripe fruitiness and minerality. To enjoy now or to keep for a few years.

Chablis "Gabrielle" (2.5 ha): A tribute to the winemakers' grandparents, this cuvée comes from old vines planted in the 1960s–70s in La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne. Harvested by hand and aged 14 months on lees in stainless steel tanks, it reveals complexity, structure and elegance, with notes of sautéed lemon and quince paste.

Chablis "A l'Ouest" (3 ha): From a full south-facing limestone plot in Beine, this natural cuvée, vinified without added sulfur, is generous and invigorating, perfect for lovers of vibrant, natural wines.

Chablis Premier Cru Beauroy (2.4 ha): Planted in 1980 on a steep slope near the Beine lake, this indulgent cuvée offers smoky notes and a mineral tension on the finish, ideal for pairing with seafood.

Chablis Premier Cru Vau de Vey (2.77 ha): Located on a steep east-facing slope, this organically farmed plot since 2010 produces a fine and delicate wine, with a marked freshness and aromas of green apple and oyster shells.

Chablis Premier Cru Montmains (0.56 ha): From vines dating back to 1971, this robust and wild wine reveals iodine and smoky notes, with a beautiful length, perfect for aging.

Chablis Premier Cru Mont de Milieu (0.75 ha): Planted in 1995 at the top of the slope, this elegant and crystalline cuvée offers mineral and menthol notes, ideal for lovers of refined Chablis.

Chablis Premier Cru La Fourchaume (1.01 ha): From three plots planted between 1986 and 2017, this full-bodied and lingering wine reveals aromas of ripe fruit, perfect for aging over a few years.

Chablis Premier Cru "La Fourchaume Dédé" (0.28 ha): From the estate's oldest vines (1960s), this prestigious cuvée, aged 14 months in barrels, is generous, complex and marked by notes of lemon and minerals.

Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos (0.67 ha): Planted in 1964, this historic plot produces a complex wine with assertive minerality, ideal for long aging in the cellar.

Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot (0.23 ha): From a small steep plot planted in 1982, this fine and floral cuvée is elegant and promises a beautiful evolution after a few years.

Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir (0.57 ha): Located full south in the Vaudésir valley, this indulgent and complex cuvée, with notes of ripe fruit, is perfect for lovers of expressive Grand Crus.

Le Domaine de l'Enclos, driven by the vision of Romain and Damien Bouchard, redefines excellence in Chablis wines. With organic viticulture, natural vinification and a deep respect for the terroir, each cuvée tells a unique story, blending family tradition and innovation. Whether you are looking for a fresh Petit Chablis, a complex Premier Cru or a Grand Cru for aging, le Domaine de l'Enclos offers wines of exceptional quality at competitive prices. Explore our selection for an online wine purchase and let yourself be seduced by the elegance and minerality of the Chablis cuvées, available at the best price on Vins & Millésimes. Order now and immerse yourself in the authentic world of le Domaine de l'Enclos!