Domaine du Chardonnay
Domaine du Chardonnay manages 34.5 hectares of vineyards and produces wines that are traditional and modern. Vinification respects terroir, vintage and grape quality. The estate has several appellations, including Chablis Premier Cru from Rive Droite and Rive Gauche, which highlight the influence of the environment on the wines.
History
Domaine du Chardonnay was founded in 1987 by Etienne Boileau, Christian Simon and William Nahan, who pooled their vineyards and skills. The estate began with 11 acres of vineyards and 80 acres of grain, but quickly expanded. In 1988, the vineyard area doubled and the domaine began producing Petit Chablis, Chablis and five Chablis Premier Crus. In 1992, the estate stopped growing grain and focused entirely on viticulture, investing in frost protection systems and heating.
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Starting in 1993, major investments were made in wine production, including the purchase of mechanical pressers and a complete wine cellar. This enabled the estate to vinify the entire harvest in-house. In 1998, the estate became virtually autonomous in its production, with the purchase of a state-of-the-art bottling line. The estate began to focus on bottle sales and exports, garnering success with several gold medals at prestigious wine competitions.
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In 2003, the estate was again recognized for its craftsmanship and expanded to 15 employees. The estate invested in modern climate systems and thermoregulation to further improve quality.
The founders retired in 2019, but the domain remains under the leadership of Arnaud Nahan and Thomas Labille, who are focused on new developments and projects for the future.
Vinification
The estate emphasizes a traditional approach to winemaking, combining modern techniques with respect for the terroir. The wines are made exclusively from grapes from its own vineyards, which are carefully selected and harvested by hand.
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Vinification takes place with controlled alcoholic fermentation, where the grapes are first pressed and the juice carefully fermented. Most of the wines undergo maturation on fine lees in thermo-regulated stainless steel cuves, allowing the wines to retain their freshness and aroma. For wines with more complexity, such as certain Premiers Crus, some of the aging is done in oak barrels. This provides a subtle influence of wood, which enhances the aromatic complexity without disturbing the distinctive minerality of the Chablis terroir.
The estate produces a wide range of wines, ranging from young, fresh wines meant to be drunk quickly, to more complex and powerful wines that benefit from several years of aging. Using advanced technologies, such as temperature control and controlled fermentation, allows the wines to show their full potential, with a perfect balance of freshness, minerality and fruitiness.
AOC Chablis
The AOC Chablis is a prestigious wine appellation in Burgundy, known for its fresh, mineral-driven white wines made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. The vineyards are planted on limestone-rich clay soils, known as Kimmeridgian, which give the wines their characteristic saline and chalky profile.
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Chablis has four quality levels:
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Petit Chablis: fresh and light, sourced from higher-altitude plots.
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Chablis: classic and mineral-driven, well-balanced with fruity notes.
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Chablis Premier Cru: more complex, with aging potential, sourced from selected hills in the region.
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Chablis Grand Cru: the finest wines, powerful and refined, originating from seven specific vineyards
