Bonnardot

History of Domaine Bonnardot

The history of Domaine Bonnardot is rooted in Villers-la-Faye, a charming village in the Hautes Côtes de Nuits situated 7 km from Nuits-Saint-Georges and 10 km from Beaune. Four generations of winegrowers have succeeded one another on this family estate, perpetuating a love of working the land and a 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 celebrated Canon Kir came to source the wine for his famous aperitif, the "Kir", which has since become a Burgundian institution known the world over.

The major turning point in the domaine'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 estate from her father Jean. With remarkable boldness, she undertook a full course of study in viticulture and oenology, then gradually steered the domaine toward organic farming, a certification achieved from the 2019 vintage onwards. "In our work as winegrowers, one must be humble, curious, inventive, one must know how to adapt, persevere, share and support one another — nature is often there to remind us of that", she explains. This philosophy, combined with a constant pursuit of quality, has enabled the domaine to rise among the emerging references of the Hautes Côtes de Nuits, recognised by the Guide Hachette.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Bonnardot

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

The soils are typical of the Hautes Côtes de Nuits, combining 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 celebrated Bourgogne Aligoté of the Kir, and above all the rare Pinot Beurot (a grape variety better known as Pinot Gris), which lends a remarkable aromatic singularity to certain white cuvées. The entire domaine is managed under certified organic farming, with the utmost care given to biodiversity (the top of certain parcels is even covered with limestone grassland and woodland, areas rich in insects and diverse wildlife). The harvest is entirely manual.

Winemaking at Domaine Bonnardot

In the cellar at Domaine Bonnardot, Danièle and her team apply traditional winemaking, without the addition of any oenological products, in pure respect for the terroir and nature. For the reds, the Pinot Noir grapes are vinified in vats with carefully controlled macerations, followed by attentively managed alcoholic fermentations. Punch-downs and pump-overs are carefully measured, in pursuit of fine extraction, to preserve the purity of fruit and the aromatic elegance characteristic of the Hautes Côtes de Nuits.

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

The Cuvées of Domaine Bonnardot

The Bourgogne Aligoté is the domaine's historic cuvée, heir to the tradition of Canon Kir who came to source his wine in Villers-la-Faye. A fresh and thirst-quenching wine, marked by aromas of citrus fruit, 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 domaine, 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 on fresh yellow fruit and acacia blossom.

The Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits Clos des Oiseaux Blanc is one of the domaine's emblematic cuvées. Sourced from a 3/4-hectare walled parcel on the commune of Chaux, nestled in a small forest inhabited by numerous birds (hence its name). A precise and energetic Chardonnay, aged for around twelve months in barrel, of which 20% is new, without losing any of its freshness. The nose offers intense notes of white flowers, pear and quince, while the palate is decisively citrus-driven.

The Ladoix Blanc Les Vris is a new cuvée from the domaine, sourced from a parcel planted in 2019 by Danièle Bonnardot on the mid-slope, just below the Grand Cru Corton. A hidden treasure 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 domaine's great signatures over the coming vintages.

The Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune Rosé is crafted from grapes sourced from the Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune vineyards. A fresh and thirst-quenching rosé wine, perfect as an aperitif and for summer meals, sourced from a parcel 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 domaine'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 very appealing. 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 savoy cabbage.

The Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits Rouge Clos des Oiseaux is the red version of the domaine's emblematic cuvée. A Pinot Noir sourced from the same confidential walled vineyard on the commune of Chaux, vinified with the same care to produce a precise, elegant and fruity wine, faithful to the freshness of the Hautes Côtes de Nuits.

The Ladoix Rouge is a village-level cuvée sourced from parcels at the southern boundary of the Côte de Beaune, almost bordering 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-level cuvée from the domaine. A structured and deep Pinot Noir, marked by aromas of ripe dark fruit, spices and undergrowth, underpinned 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 domaine, whose Latin name evokes the "left bank". A precise and elegant red wine, crafted in the domaine's philosophy combining respect for the terroir, traditional winemaking and an authentic expression of Burgundian Pinot Noir.