Catherine et Claude Maréchal

History of Domaine Catherine et Claude Maréchal

The adventure began in 1981. Claude Maréchal, the son of a cereal farmer from Bligny-lès-Beaune, had harboured from childhood a deep-rooted passion for the vine and wine. After an initial training in electronics, he chose the land and leased his first plots — around four to five hectares — in various villages of the Côte de Beaune. The early days were modest and demanding: France was barely emerging from the economic repercussions of the oil crisis, and setting up as an independent winegrower was as much a challenge as it was a calling.

From those early years, Claude embarked on an initiatory journey that would permanently shape his philosophy. He forged lasting friendships with some of the greatest names in French viticulture: Henri Jayer, the absolute legend of Burgundy, as well as Auguste Clape (Cornas), Thierry Allemand, and Jacques Reynaud of Château Rayas. These meetings at the very top allowed him to refine his vision of viticulture and winemaking, absorbing the finest practices in order to reinterpret them in his own way.

In 1984, the estate took shape with the purchase of the first plots of their own in Ladoix and Savigny-lès-Beaune. Catherine joined the estate full-time in 1998, following a career change, bringing her rigour and organisational skills to a thriving operation. Together, they have grown the vineyard to 12.5 hectares, with a range that now covers eleven distinct appellations, all located in the Côte de Beaune. Recognised today as one of the very finest estates of the Côte d'Or for the exceptional quality-to-price ratio of its cuvées, Domaine Maréchal remains an example of artisanal integrity in a wine world sometimes tempted by standardisation.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Catherine et Claude Maréchal

The vineyard extends across six emblematic communes of the Côte de Beaune: Bligny-lès-Beaune, Ladoix, Chorey-lès-Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune, Auxey-Duresses, Pommard, and Volnay. This mosaic of terroirs is one of the estate's great strengths: it allows for a complete range to be offered, from generic Bourgogne through to the most renowned village appellations, including a prestigious Premier Cru.

The grape varieties cultivated are those that have made Burgundy famous. Pinot Noir dominates the vineyard by a wide margin (more than 10 hectares), followed by Chardonnay and Aligoté. The vines, averaging around thirty years of age — with some plots qualifying as old vines — express themselves on soils of great diversity: clay-limestone rich in gravel at Bligny-lès-Beaune and Chorey, bluish calcareous marl at Auxey-Duresses, iron-rich clay-limestone at Pommard, and fresher, more mineral substrates at Savigny-lès-Beaune.

Respect for the terroir lies at the heart of every decision made in the vineyards. For more than twenty years, the estate has done away with chemical fertilizers and herbicides. The soils are worked mechanically to preserve their biological life and natural structure. Pruning is carried out rigorously to limit yields and concentrate the expression of the fruit. The management of the vineyard is deeply guided by an organic philosophy, without seeking certification as an end in itself: the sole objective is simply to produce the healthiest and most balanced grapes possible, at full ripeness, but never over-ripeness.

The harvest is entirely manual, with meticulous selective sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery, so as to retain only perfectly ripe and perfectly healthy grapes.

Winemaking at Domaine Catherine et Claude Maréchal

Claude Maréchal's winemaking philosophy can be summed up in a few simple yet demanding words: natural, precision, and respect for the fruit. Every effort is made to ensure that each cuvée is above all a faithful reflection of its appellation and terroir, without seeking to impose upon it any artificial technological or stylistic imprint.

For the red wines, the harvest is entirely destemmed, which yields silkier tannins and a more direct and pure expression of the fruit. Maceration lasts between ten and fifteen days, with regular punch-downs to gently extract colour, aromas, and tannic structure. Fermentations are carried out with indigenous yeasts naturally present on the grapes. The use of sulphur is deliberately kept to a minimum at every stage. Bottling takes place without filtration, thus preserving all the substance and ageing potential of each wine.

Ageing in Burgundian oak barrels lasts from 12 to 18 months depending on the cuvée. The proportion of new oak is kept deliberately low, at around 15 to 20%, so that the oak intervenes only as a subtle undercurrent, adding just a touch of complexity and length without masking the expression of the terroir. The result is a recognisable signature like no other: wines with deliciously perfumed fruitiness, a silky texture, a juicy and generous palate, carried by tannins of rare finesse.

For the white wines, ageing in tank or barrel is conducted over twelve months, with the same exacting discretion regarding oak and preservation of the natural freshness of the Chardonnay and Aligoté.

The Cuvées of Domaine Catherine et Claude Maréchal

Ladoix "Les Chaillots" (Red)

Ladoix is one of the most discreet appellations of the Côte de Beaune, and this unique plot adjoins the famous Bois Roussot climat, a former property of the Prince de Mérode. The nose is complex, slightly spicy, with distinctive floral notes. The palate offers depth, drive, and an enchanting aromatic development, carried by admirable structural elegance.

Chorey-lès-Beaune (Red)

Sourced from three assembled plots totalling nearly two hectares of old vines, this Chorey-lès-Beaune cuvée is one of the estate's finest ambassadors. The nose is intense and elegant, with cherry, raspberry, and blackcurrant, over a very discreet oaky background. The palate is ample and juicy, endowed with remarkably supple tannins and a long, persistent finish. 

Savigny-lès-Beaune (Red)

The estate's Savigny village wine offers greater freshness and aromatic clarity, with a beautiful depth of fruit and a subtle herbaceous complexity in support. The palate is upright and mineral, animated by a fine vivacity that makes it a wine of immediate pleasure as much as of good ageing potential.

Savigny-lès-Beaune Vieilles Vignes (Red)

An assemblage of several plots, some of which are located in Premier Cru zones (Liards, Planchots, Pimentières, Peuillets…), for a total surface area approaching two hectares. This cuvée steps up a notch in intensity and complexity: a broader floral bouquet, more drive and freshness, a less supple but more taut texture, built for speed rather than comfort, with a weight of concentrated flavours on the finish. 

Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Lavières (Red)

The estate's Premier Cru, a refined and structured cuvée that combines Savigny's natural freshness with a depth of substance and an elegance befitting the finest terroirs. Les Lavières, one of the most esteemed Premiers Crus of the appellation, yields here a wine built for ageing — well-structured yet never harsh — that requires a few years in the cellar to reveal its full dimension.

Auxey-Duresses (Red)

Produced on the bluish calcareous marls typical of the village, this red wine embodies the typicity of the appellation with a marked aromatic intensity, notes of red fruits, and a supple, silky structure. A 15-day maceration and 18 months of ageing in Burgundian barrels give this wine beautiful depth and a fine length.

Auxey-Duresses (White)

A white Auxey with a taut and mineral profile, representative of the great whites of the Côte de Beaune. The mosaic of terroirs (marly anticline, clayey piedmont) that make up this wine impart a typicity very representative of the appellation: intensity of red fruits over a delicate background, elegance, roundness, and suavity. Aged with a modest proportion of new oak (15 to 20%), it successfully combines complexity and freshness.

Volnay (Red)

From the Grand Poissots climat bordering Les Brouillards, this Volnay offers the floral and silky attack that is the signature of the appellation, underpinned by dark, elegant red fruit. Mineral, full of energy, with a long and precise finish.

Pommard "La Chanière" (Red)

The most structured and serious cuvée of the estate. Produced on iron-rich clay-limestone soils, with a concentrated texture and ultra-ripe yet never aggressive tannins, this Pommard delivers a complex nose of violet, morello cherry, and dark fruits, followed by a dense, persistent, and perfectly balanced palate. A finish of savoury depth invites patience — a few years of cellaring will allow it to express its full majesty.