Bonnardot

History of Domaine Bonnardot

The history of Domaine Bonnardot has its roots in Villers-la-Faye, a charming village in the Hautes Côtes de Nuits located 7 km from Nuits-Saint-Georges and 10 km from Beaune. Four generations of winegrowers have succeeded one another on this family estate, perpetuating the love of working the land and the passion for the vine. The village of Villers-la-Faye, together with its neighbour Magny-les-Villers, is particularly renowned for its Bourgogne Aligoté: it was even at Domaine Bonnardot that the famous Canon Kir came to stock up in order to prepare his celebrated aperitif, the "Kir", which has become a world-famous Burgundian institution.

The major turning point in the estate's recent history came at the end of 2008, when Danièle Bonnardot, a former Parisian executive, decided to leave her career to take over the family business from her father Jean. With remarkable boldness, she undertook a full course of study in viticulture and oenology, then gradually committed the domaine de to organic farming, a certification obtained from the 2019 vintage. "In our winemaking profession, one must be humble, curious, inventive, one must know how to adapt, persevere, exchange, help one another — nature is often there to remind us of this", she explains. This philosophy, combined with a constant pursuit of quality, has enabled the estate to rise among the emerging references of the Hautes Côtes de Nuits, recognized by the Guide Hachette.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Bonnardot

The vineyard of Domaine Bonnardot extends over 22 hectares, organized into two distinct ensembles: 3 hectares of low-trained vines in Village and Premier Cru appellations, and 19 hectares of high and wide-trained vines in the regional appellation around Villers-la-Faye. The estate cultivates plots in Ladoix (notably Les Vris, a plot planted in 2019 at mid-slope just below the Grand Cru Corton), in the Hautes Côtes de Nuits (notably the Clos des Oiseaux, a 3/4-hectare jewel surrounded by a wall in the commune of Chaux, nestled in a small forest inhabited by numerous birds), as well as plots in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune and even in Nuits-Saint-Georges village.

The soils are typical of the Hautes Côtes de Nuits, blending clay, limestone and marl, with higher altitudes than the Côte d'Or proper, which bring freshness and aromatic precision to the wines. The grape varieties reflect the diversity of Burgundy: Pinot Noir for the reds, Chardonnay for the whites, Aligoté for the famous Bourgogne Aligoté du Kir, and above all the rare Pinot Beurot (a variety better known as Pinot Gris), which brings a remarkable aromatic singularity to certain white cuvées. The entire estate is managed under certified organic farming, with extreme care given to biodiversity (the top of certain plots is even covered with limestone grassland and woodland, areas rich in insects and diverse fauna). The harvests are entirely manual.

Winemaking at Domaine Bonnardot

In the cellar of Domaine Bonnardot, Danièle and her team apply traditional winemaking, without the addition of oenological products, in pure respect of the terroir and nature. For the reds, Pinot Noir grapes are vinified in tanks with carefully controlled macerations, followed by alcoholic fermentations conducted with great attention. Punch-downs and pump-overs are measured, in a pursuit of extraction that prioritizes finesse, to preserve the purity of fruit and the aromatic elegance characteristic of the Hautes Côtes de Nuits.

For the whites, Chardonnay grapes (sometimes blended with a small proportion of Pinot Beurot) are delicately pressed and settled before fermentation, followed by ageing of around twelve months in oak barrels, with a measured proportion of new wood (20% for certain cuvées such as the Clos des Oiseaux). This ageing allows the wines to gain in complexity while preserving their characteristic crystalline freshness. Bottling then takes place at the estate. This approach, combined with organic conversion, yields chiselled, energetic wines that are faithful to their terroir, in an accessible and refined style that appeals equally to knowledgeable enthusiasts and to those newly discovering the appellation.

The Cuvées of Domaine Bonnardot

The Bourgogne Aligoté is the estate's historic cuvée, heir to the tradition of Canon Kir who came to stock up in Villers-la-Faye. A fresh and thirst-quenching wine, marked by aromas of citrus, green apple and white flowers, with a lively palate and a saline finish, ideal as an aperitif or for preparing the famous Burgundian Kir with blackcurrant liqueur.

The Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits Blanc is an original cuvée from the estate, crafted with a small proportion (10%) of Pinot Beurot (Pinot Gris), an uncommon blend in Burgundy. On the nose, intense floral notes of honeysuckle and orange zest. The palate is rich from the first attack, round and supple, with a good length on the finish. The wine is also offered as a blend of young Chardonnay and Pinot Beurot, open and expressive with fresh yellow fruits and acacia blossom.

The Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits Clos des Oiseaux Blanc is one of the estate's iconic cuvées. From a 3/4-hectare plot surrounded by a wall in the commune of Chaux, nestled in a small forest inhabited by numerous birds (hence its name). A chiselled and energetic Chardonnay, aged for around twelve months in oak barrels of which 20% are new, without losing any of its freshness. The nose offers intense notes of white flowers, pear and quince, while the palate is resolutely citrus-driven.

The Ladoix Blanc Les Vris is a new cuvée from the estate, from a plot planted in 2019 by Danièle Bonnardot at mid-slope, just below the Grand Cru Corton. A hidden gem at the southern boundary of the Côte de Beaune almost in the Côte de Nuits, this precise and mineral Chardonnay promises to become one of the estate's great signatures over the coming vintages.

The Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune Rosé is crafted from grapes grown on the Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune vines. A fresh and thirst-quenching rosé wine, perfect for aperitifs and summer meals, from a plot situated just above the hamlet, in an appellation area at higher altitudes than those of the Côte de Beaune.

The Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits Rouge L'Âge Mûre is the estate's emblematic red cuvée. A supple and fruity Pinot Noir from the Hautes Côtes, endowed with roundness, elegance and beautiful aromas, in a slightly old-fashioned Burgundian style that is deeply seductive. A charming wine that recalls everything one loves about Burgundy at a very attractive price, perfect with a leg of lamb, guinea fowl or a surf-and-turf of scallops, lardons and green cabbage.

The Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits Rouge Clos des Oiseaux is the red version of the estate's iconic cuvée. Pinot Noir from the same confidential walled enclosure in the commune of Chaux, vinified with the same care to deliver a precise, elegant and fruity wine, true to the freshness of the Hautes Côtes de Nuits.

The Ladoix Rouge is a village cuvée from plots at the southern boundary of the Côte de Beaune, almost in the Côte de Nuits. A balanced Pinot Noir, marked by vibrant red fruit, a fine mineral backbone and a silky palate characteristic of the appellation.

The Nuits-Saint-Georges is a prestigious red village cuvée from the estate. A structured and deep Pinot Noir, marked by aromas of ripe dark fruits, spices and undergrowth, supported by a solid tannic backbone characteristic of the flagship appellation of the Côte de Nuits.

The Ripa Sinistra cuvée is an original creation of the estate, whose Latin name evokes the "left bank". A precise and elegant red wine, crafted in the estate's philosophy of combining respect for terroir, traditional winemaking and authentic expression of Burgundian Pinot Noir.