Didon

History of Domaine Didon

The history of Domaine Didon is one of an encounter and a late vocation. Without any family heritage in wine, David and Naïma each forged their own independent path before meeting in Beaune. David began his career at the age of 20 in environmental protection and arboriculture, then trained at the agrobiology school in Beaujeu, where he immersed himself in the thinking of Rudolf Steiner and biodynamics. He worked successively in Alsace, on farms and in gardens, then in Lorraine alongside Michel Goujot, a pioneering natural wine producer. Inspired by this experience, he settled in Beaune to study viticulture, then became vineyard manager at the prestigious Domaine de Montille in Volnay, where he led the conversion to biodynamics. Naïma, for her part, with a background in sales and administration, discovered her passion for wine and joined a Beaune-based winemaker.

Their meeting in Beaune was a turning point. Committed together to a shared approach, they saw in 2017 a dream opportunity: 1 hectare of vines for sale in Chassey-le-Camp, to which a second hectare was quickly added. Domaine Didon was born. The first harvest took place in 2017, from one hectare of old vines of Aligoté, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir planted between 1942 and 1967. David was supported at the outset by the pioneers of Burgundian natural wine Julien Altaber and Dominique Derain, who helped him convert the vineyard to biodynamics. The couple manage it on a part-time basis, while keeping their respective positions at other Burgundian estates.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Didon

The vineyard of Domaine Didon extends over 2 hectares in Chassey-le-Camp, at the northern tip of the Côte Chalonnaise, directly opposite the famous village of Bouzeron, the heartland of Aligoté. The heart of the estate is the emblematic lieu-dit "Les Vignes Blanches", situated on a steep south-east facing slope at the entrance to the village. This evocative name comes from the particular composition of the soil, made up of clay extremely rich in minerals over a dense yellow limestone subsoil, which provides excellent drainage and a distinctive minerality to the wines. The temperate oceanic climate completes this exceptional terroir.

The village of Chassey-le-Camp was once a large continuous vineyard, whose production was sold to négociants throughout Burgundy. After the production crisis of the 1930s and the establishment of appellations of origin, the vineyard was largely converted to other crops or abandoned. Today, the Chassey terroir is rarely recognised as such and remains associated with Bouzeron for its exceptional suitability for Aligoté. Les Vignes Blanches of Domaine Didon were planted in mass selections between 1947 and 1960 in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Aligoté. The farming is rigorously biodynamic: everything is done by hand, soils are diligently ploughed, fruit trees are planted along the edges of the plots, Guyot Poussard pruning is used, and manual harvesting yields are generous but healthy.

Winemaking at Domaine Didon

In the cellar, David and Naïma sum up their philosophy in a simple and effective formula: "We do the work in the vineyard and we are lazy in the cellar." This approach, which is in reality one of great rigour, means that the wines are produced from perfectly healthy and concentrated grapes thanks to biodynamics, allowing for minimal intervention in the cellar. Pressing is slow and gentle, to preserve the integrity of the juices. Fermentations are conducted solely with the indigenous yeasts native to the grapes, which are strictly monitored without any additions. No oenological intervention is practised.

Ageing takes place in carefully chosen vessels (tanks, old barrels), for durations adapted to each cuvée. No additives are used, and sulphur is added only at bottling, in minimal quantities. The wines are neither fined nor filtered, in an approach of absolute transparency towards the grape and the terroir. This pure and minimalist philosophy produces a recognisable signature: honest, vibrant wines of great purity and remarkable directness, which convey the emotion that the couple seeks to share. The great purity and frankness of the wines have undeniably won over lovers of Burgundian natural wines.

The Cuvées of Domaine Didon

Bourgogne Rouge: the estate's signature cuvée in AOC Bourgogne, crafted from 100% Pinot Noir sourced from the estate's old vines planted in mass selections between 1947 and 1960 on Les Vignes Blanches. Minimalist winemaking, ageing in old barrels. Brilliant ruby colour, expressive nose of red fruits (cherry, raspberry) and floral notes, palate with intense, crunchy and indulgent fruit, with a fine and silky structure. A pleasure-driven Bourgogne, to enjoy now with white meats, an autumn vegetable purée or a charcuterie board.

Bourgogne Blanc: an atypical white wine in AOC Bourgogne, crafted from an original blend of Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Aligoté sourced from the estate's old vines. Pale colour, floral and fruity nose, fruity and precise palate with a lively finish. An original and identity-driven Burgundy white, faithful to the singular character of the Didon cellar.

Bourgogne Aligoté Les Vignes Blanches: an emblematic single-vineyard cuvée, crafted from 100% Aligoté sourced from the eponymous lieu-dit, with its minerally rich white clay soils over yellow limestone. Pale golden colour, fine and delicate nose of citrus, white flowers and chalky notes, taut and deep palate with the mineral signature of the terroir and great aromatic finesse. A fully realised expression of Aligoté, which reclaims its noble status at Domaine Didon.

Bourgogne Aligoté Les Peteurs: another single-vineyard Aligoté cuvée, sourced from the lieu-dit Les Peteurs. Vinification in the same natural spirit, ageing in tanks or old barrels. Brilliant colour, expressive nose of citrus and white flowers, lively and thirst-quenching palate with the precise signature typical of the estate. Another nuance of Chassey Aligoté, of remarkable directness.

Pétillant Naturel: a sparkling cuvée in Vin de France, crafted from a blend of Aligoté and Pinot Blanc, using the ancestral method (bottle fermentation with the residual sugars of the grape), without any addition of sugar or yeasts. Pale colour, fine and joyful bubbles, aromatic nose of white fruits and flowers, taut and thirst-quenching palate. An authentic and original sparkling wine, faithful to the creative spirit of the Didon couple.

Bourgogne Pinot Noir Les Vignes Blanches: a single-vineyard red cuvée from the lieu-dit Les Vignes Blanches, crafted from 100% Pinot Noir from very old vines planted between 1947 and 1960. Pale ruby colour, complex nose of red fruits, flowers and mineral notes, silky and deep palate with the chiselled signature of the clay-limestone terroir. A confidential single-vineyard cuvée, revealing the full singularity of the great terroir of Chassey-le-Camp rediscovered by David and Naïma Didon.