Fernand et Laurent Pillot

History of Domaine Fernand et Laurent Pillot

The roots of the Pillot family in Chassagne-Montrachet stretch back to the 17th century. At that time, the ancestors worked a few vineyard plots, but above all made barrels: the family was primarily a lineage of coopers well-regarded in the region. It was not until the 19th century, driven by a new generation, that the Pillot family gradually abandoned staves and hoops to devote themselves fully to vine growing, expanding the estate across the hillsides of the village.

Over the generations, the estate has continued to expand. Fernand Pillot and his son Laurent, representing the fourth generation of winemakers, extended the estate again in 1992, then in 2001 with the emblematic acquisition of the Pothier-Rieusset vines in Pommard, which brought the estate some of the finest Premiers Crus of the appellation. The fifth generation is currently arriving and is flourishing in both white and red. The estate, 2023 laureate of the "Espoirs" winemakers award, obtained Organic Agriculture certification with the 2024 harvest, the crowning of a concrete environmental commitment over several years.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Fernand et Laurent Pillot

The vineyard of Domaine Fernand et Laurent Pillot extends over nearly 15 hectares, encompassing 22 different appellations, illustrating the remarkable mosaic of the Côte de Beaune. The plots are concentrated primarily on the clay-limestone hillsides of Chassagne-Montrachet, the family's historic heartland, and on Pommard, since the acquisition of the Pothier-Rieusset vines. The estate also counts very beautiful terroirs in Santenay, Saint-Aubin, Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, Volnay and Beaune, offering a remarkably complete reading of the great climats of the Côte de Beaune.

The soils, typical clay-limestone of Burgundy, present subtle variations according to the plots: limestone dominant in Chassagne and Puligny, more pronounced clay in Pommard and Volnay, a perfect balance between limestone, clay and sand beneath the family home at the heart of the 1er Cru Champgains. The estate has committed to environmentally respectful viticulture, with no use of herbicides, careful work in the vineyard, and a planting composition primarily of Chardonnay (for the whites of Chassagne, Puligny, Meursault and Saint-Aubin) and Pinot Noir (for the reds of Pommard, Volnay, Beaune, Chassagne and Santenay). The vines are often old, some reaching 50 to 60 years, a guarantee of great depth of character.

Vinifications of Domaine Fernand et Laurent Pillot

All the estate's wines are vinified and aged in the family cellar in Chassagne-Montrachet, which combines modern facilities with respect for ancestral traditions. The harvests are manual, followed by rigorous sorting in the vineyard and in the cellar. For the whites, the Chardonnay grapes are delicately pressed whole, followed by static settling. Fermentation takes place in oak barrels with indigenous yeasts, then ageing on the lees with regular stirring brings both richness, volume and aromatic complexity.

For the red wines, the Pinot Noir grapes are destemmed (with sometimes a portion of whole clusters depending on the cuvées and vintages) before a cold pre-fermentation maceration and fermentation in vats with measured pigeage and pump-overs. Ageing then continues in oak barrels for 12 to 18 months, with a measured proportion of new wood that supports the substance without masking it. The wines are then bottled at the estate, after a light fining and gentle filtration. This artisanal precision, combined with respect for centuries-old terroirs, produces wines of great purity, expressive, distinguished and built for cellaring.

The Cuvées of Domaine Fernand et Laurent Pillot

The Bourgogne Blanc is the estate's entry-level Chardonnay. A fresh, precise wine, marked by aromas of citrus, white flowers and white fruits, with a taut palate and a saline finish, it represents excellent value for money to discover the house style.

The Bourgogne Rouge is the estate's entry-level Pinot Noir. Supple and fruity, marked by notes of cherry and wild strawberry, with fine tannins and a fresh finish, it is a convivial wine to be enjoyed from its youth.

The Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Sur le Sentier du Clou is a Premier Cru from Saint-Aubin from a limestone hillside terroir. A fresh and mineral Chardonnay, marked by fine tension, notes of white citrus and flowers, with subtly integrated oak.

The Puligny-Montrachet Noyers Brets is an elegant village white, a discreet yet refined expression of the queen appellation of the whites of the Côte de Beaune. A pure palate, fine salinity and a vertical finish typical of the Chardonnays of Puligny.

The Meursault 1er Cru Les Caillerets is a sought-after Premier Cru. A powerful and complex Chardonnay, marked by aromas of toasted hazelnut, honey and ripe yellow fruits, supported by a sharp mineral backbone and a long finish.

The Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc Village is the great classic of the estate. A balanced Chardonnay, endowed with aromas of apple, almond and white flowers, with a carefully integrated ageing and a fresh, saline finish, faithful to the elegance of the village.

The Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot comes from one of the greatest climats of the appellation. A broad, deep wine, marked by aromas of ripe yellow fruits, honey and gentle spices, with a dense substance supported by a precise mineral backbone.

The Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Vergers is a Premier Cru that is both powerful and warm, able to show distinction through its fine minerality. Beneath a charming side, it reveals aromas of citrus and white flowers, in a straight and precise palate.

The Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Champgains (sometimes spelled Champs Gain) comes from the plot situated beneath the family home, with a perfect balance between limestone, clay and sand. An opulent, expressive and powerful wine, with remarkable freshness, spiritual notes and great aging potential.

The Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Vide Bourse is one of the estate's most elegant cuvées. A precise and finely crafted Chardonnay, endowed with an incisive mineral backbone, pure aromas of white fruits and flowers, and a persistent finish praised for its great distinction.

The Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Grandes Ruchottes is one of the estate's white summits. From this very calcareous Premier Cru yielding high-energy Chardonnays, it combines substance, salinity, depth and great aging potential, in a distinguished and masterful stature.

The Chassagne-Montrachet Vieilles Vignes Rouge comes from Pinot Noir vines aged 50 to 60 years. A deep red wine with a velvety bouquet, marked by Burlat cherry, juicy red fruits and spice notes, supported by a smooth palate and a persistent finish, to be enjoyed with red meats.

The Santenay Prarons Rouge is a generous village Pinot Noir from the lieu-dit Les Prarons. A fresh and fruity wine, marked by aromas of cherry and raspberry, with a supple palate and a fine tannic structure, perfect for immediate or medium-term drinking.

The Volnay is the village expression of the appellation of the greatest feminine Pinot Noirs of the Côte de Beaune. Ruby robe, floral and fruity nose (rose, raspberry, violet), elegant and silky palate, fine tannins: a Volnay in the image of the appellation, graceful and dancing.

The Beaune 1er Cru Les Boucherottes is a Premier Cru from Beaune from a plot to the south of the village. A fleshy Pinot Noir, endowed with aromas of red and black fruits, a solid tannic structure and an aromatic finish of gentle spices, built for fine cellaring.

The Pommard Village is a classic of the estate, from the Pothier-Rieusset vines acquired in 2001. A full-bodied, deep wine, marked by aromas of ripe black fruits and liquorice, with a solid tannic structure characteristic of the appellation.

The Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens is one of the estate's red jewels. From one of the greatest climats of Pommard, it offers a concentrated structure, noble and fine tannins, a characteristic ferruginous mineral backbone, and great aging potential.

The Pommard 1er Cru Les Charmots is a distinguished Premier Cru, marked by great aromatic complexity (black fruits, spices, undergrowth) and a powerful tannic structure. A quintessential wine for cellaring, built to develop elegance gracefully over the years.

The Pommard 1er Cru Clos de Verger is the estate's third Premier Cru gem from Pommard. A full-bodied and dense wine, endowed with a noble tannic structure and deep aromas of black fruits, leather and spices, faithful to the great Pommard tradition for long cellaring.