Maratray Dubreuil

History of Domaine Maratray-Dubreuil

The history of Domaine Maratray-Dubreuil begins in 1935, when Maurice Maratray's father, originally a public works entrepreneur, made the bold decision to reinvest his earnings in the acquisition of vines in Ladoix-Serrigny. This visionary decision marked the beginning of a family adventure that would gradually transform a building company into one of the finest wine estates in the northern Côte de Beaune. The estate's destiny then took a major turn when Maurice Maratray married the daughter of Pierre Dubreuil, another renowned winemaking family from the region: it is from this union that the hyphenated name Maratray-Dubreuil was born.

Over successive generations, the family's estate has grown through a series of acquisitions on the finest vineyard sites surrounding the Corton hill. Today, it is the third generation that watches over the property: François-Xavier and Marie-Madeleine Maratray, brother and sister, run the estate together with passion and exacting standards. Under their leadership, Domaine Maratray-Dubreuil has established itself as an unmissable reference on the terroir of Aloxe-Corton and Ladoix, acclaimed by the Guide Hachette and celebrated by enthusiasts around the world.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Maratray-Dubreuil

The vineyard of Domaine Maratray-Dubreuil extends over 19 hectares, spread across six prestigious communes surrounding the mythical Corton hill: Ladoix-Serrigny (the estate's historic base, including notably the Ladoix 1er Cru Les Nagets monopole), Aloxe-Corton, Beaune, Chorey-lès-Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses and Savigny-lès-Beaune. The land structure reflects the typical Burgundian mosaic: a multitude of small plots with distinct characters, organised into regional appellations (Bourgogne Aligoté, Bourgogne Blanc and Rouge), village, village Premiers Crus and four Grands Crus (Corton-Charlemagne in white, Corton Bressandes, Corton Clos du Roi and Corton Les Grandes Lolières in red).

The grape varieties are the three emblematic varieties of Burgundy: Aligoté for the fresh Bourgogne Aligoté cuvée, Chardonnay for all the other great whites, and Pinot Noir for all the red wines. The soils, characterised by ferruginous oolite at 300 metres altitude at the top of the Corton hill, yield ochre earth complemented by calcareous marls, particularly suited to the expression of age-worthy Pinot Noirs. The highest vineyard sites (Ladoix 1er Cru Les Gréchons at 125 m, the Les Nagets monopole at 300 m) benefit from privileged exposures. The Maratray family, practitioners of sustainable viticulture, cultivate their vines with rigour throughout the year, with tiny yields and extreme care given to the quality of the grapes. Harvesting is carried out exclusively by hand.

Vinifications of Domaine Maratray-Dubreuil

At the cellar in Ladoix-Serrigny, located at 5 place du Souvenir, Domaine Maratray-Dubreuil applies traditional winemaking methods faithful to the great Burgundian tradition, while benefiting from modern technological advances that allow better control of temperatures and fermentations. For the reds, after rigorous sorting at the winery, the Pinot Noir grapes undergo a three-week maceration in tanks, followed by alcoholic fermentation with the indigenous yeasts naturally present on the berries. Pigeage and pumping-over are measured, in a quest for the finest possible extraction.

The ageing is conducted with patience: 18 months in oak barrels for the reds, 12 months for the whites, with a measured proportion of new oak depending on the cuvée (higher for the Grands Crus). The whites are fermented and aged in barrels on fine lees, with regular lees-stirring that brings volume, richness and aromatic complexity. Bottling then takes place at the estate with the utmost care. This meticulous approach, combined with the exceptional nobility of the cultivated terroirs, produces powerful, structured wines endowed with a great capacity for ageing, in the image of the estate's prestigious Corton wines.

The Cuvées of Domaine Maratray-Dubreuil

The Bourgogne Aligoté is the estate's entry-level freshness wine, produced from the emblematic regional variety. A lively and thirst-quenching wine marked by aromas of citrus, green apple and white flowers, with a taut palate and a saline finish, ideal as an aperitif or for preparing the famous Burgundian Kir with blackcurrant liqueur.

The Bourgogne Blanc is a regional Chardonnay produced from plots situated around Ladoix. A fresh and balanced wine, marked by aromas of white flowers, citrus and white fruits, with a persistent and mineral finish.

The Bourgogne Rouge is a generous and fruity Pinot Noir, marked by aromas of cherry and raspberry, with a supple palate and fine tannins, perfect for discovering the estate's style at an excellent quality-to-price ratio.

The Ladoix Blanc is an elegant and mineral village Chardonnay, faithful to the character of the white wines of the appellation at the foot of the Corton hill. A discreet but deep wine, marked by aromas of white flowers, yellow fruits and flint.

The Ladoix 1er Cru Les Gréchons et Foutrières is the highest of the eleven Premiers Crus of Ladoix (125 m altitude), bordering the wooded part of the hill. Produced from 53 ares of Chardonnay, this pale gold wine with green reflections reveals a nose of fresh fruit and toasted hazelnut, with a round and mellow attack on the palate, best enjoyed young to appreciate its freshness.

The Pernand-Vergelesses Blanc Les Vignes Blanches is a refined Chardonnay from this discreet appellation neighbouring Corton-Charlemagne. A taut and mineral wine marked by notes of citrus, white flowers and a persistent saline backbone.

The Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is the estate's white pinnacle, one of the greatest Chardonnays in Burgundy. A wine of dense substance, marked by bewitching aromas of ripe yellow fruits, honey, toasted hazelnut and flint, underpinned by an incandescent mineral backbone and a finish of exceptional length, built for very long ageing.

The Chorey-lès-Beaune is a supple and approachable village Pinot Noir, ideal for discovering the appellation. A fruity wine marked by notes of cherry and raspberry, with an elegant palate and a fresh finish.

The Ladoix Rouge Village is a representative cuvée of the appellation, planted over 2.4 hectares of Pinot Noir by the Maratray family. A pleasant and balanced wine marked by brilliant red fruit, fine tannins and an aromatic finish typical of the terroir.

The Ladoix 1er Cru Les Nagets Monopole is one of the estate's emblematic cuvées. A 2-hectare family monopole situated at the very top of the hillside (300 m altitude), produced in both red and white, this Premier Cru offers a Pinot Noir with spiced notes and a fine tannic structure, exclusive to the estate, vinified and bottled on site.

The Aloxe-Corton Village is a structured and expressive Pinot Noir from plots situated at the foot of the Corton hill. A balanced wine marked by ripe red fruit, notes of soft spices and a silky tannic backbone, in the great tradition of the appellation.

The Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru is an emblematic Premier Cru of the estate. A garnet wine with a deep colour, endowed with a fruity and oaky nose (grilled and toasted notes), a concentrated and well-structured palate. It rewards cellaring, progressively revealing complexity and finesse.

The Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Île de Vergelesses comes from a 1.35-hectare plot of Pinot Noir cultivated by the Maratray family. This exceptional Premier Cru, whose lieu-dit is mentioned in a charter of 830 under the name "Vergelosse", offers an elegant garnet wine marked by pure fruit, a delicate mineral backbone and a great capacity for ageing.

The Savigny-lès-Beaune is a supple and fruity village Pinot Noir from plots in the neighbouring appellation. A fresh and approachable wine, marked by aromas of cherry and raspberry, with a fluid palate and a persistent finish.

The Beaune 1er Cru is a Premier Cru cuvée from the Beaune appellation. A wine with a deep and clear colour, a nose where vanilla does not overwhelm the strawberry, with a solid constitution that commands its subject and augurs a fine ageing potential.

The Corton Bressandes Grand Cru is one of the estate's flagship red wines, produced from an emblematic Grand Cru on the Corton hill. A powerful and elegant Pinot Noir marked by deep aromas of red and black fruits, noble spices and undergrowth, endowed with a noble tannic backbone and a remarkable ageing potential.

The Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru is another prestigious red Grand Cru, situated on one of the most renowned vineyard sites on the hill. A deep and structured wine marked by a dense substance, complex aromas of ripe black fruits, leather and spices, with a remarkable capacity for ageing.

The Corton Les Grandes Lolières Grand Cru is the estate's third red Grand Cru. Produced from grapes planted at the top of the Corton hill at around 300 m altitude, on ochre soils of ferruginous oolite complemented by calcareous marls. A Pinot Noir of great nobility, endowed with a dense substance and a remarkable aromatic persistence.