Domaine de la Bretauche in Chablis
15 hectares of vineyard in Chablis and the surrounding region on North of Burgundy such as Tonnerre & Epineuil
François Moutard bought in 2010 Domaine de la Bretauche in Chablis to Mister Louis Bellot, representing 15 hectares of vineyard in Chablis and the surrounding region on North of Burgundy such as Tonnerre & Epineuil. La Bretauche is related to Chablis by his history.
The name Chablis is thought to come from two Celtic words: "cab" meaning "house" and "leya", meaning "near the wood".
There was a Neolithic village in the Serein valley, and then, much later, there was a fortified farm from the time of the Gauls, which no doubt already had some vines, and this farm was called “La Bretauche”. Afterwards, the village of Chablis goes back to the Roman period, with the construction of four major villas. The vines were pulled up under the Emperor Domitian (81-96), but were replanted under Emperor Probus (276-282). That was 18 centuries ago.
La Bretauche name has been kept all along Chablis history.
Our Winegrowing area
Our main growing area is Chablis, which produces great dry white wines with a mineral accent, which enjoy international acclaim. Farther to the east, beyond Chablis, our second growing area, the vines of the Tonnerrois, are found in the valley of the Armanon, the river that runs through the little town of Tonnerre.
On these limestone soils, the wines are mainly produced from the traditional Bourgogne varietals of Chardonnay and Aligot for whites, and Pinot Noir for the reds. Cesar for reds is used in smaller quantities in Irancy. There is an exception in Saint-Bris, where we produce very aromatic whites from the Sauvignon grape.
Our vineyard brings a wide palette of appellations to the North Bourgogne winegrowing region, mainly specific regional appellations.
- Village appellation : Irancy, Saint-Bris
- Regional appellation : Bourgogne Epineuil, Bourgogne Tonnerre
Our vineyards cover a multitude of very old small plots on argilo-calcerous soils (with an upper Kimmeridgeian layer). We are in a very valleyed region and comparatively sheltered and well exposed south and south-east facing slopes.
Vineyard Holdings
The Domaine La Bretauche extends over 25,5 hectares of Chablis and Tonnerois, cultivated with the highest care and respect to viticulture.
The age average of the vineyard is 20 years old, and the oldest have been planted in 1954.
| Pinot Noir | 3 ha |
| Irancy | 1 ha |
| Chardonnay | 11 ha |
| Petit Chablis | 1 ha |
| Épineuil Rouge | 4 ha |
| Chablis | 3 ha |
| Chablis 1er Cru Côte de Léchet | 0.5 ha |
| Aligoté | 1 ha |
| Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume | 0.5 ha |
Vinification process
As a good farmer, we use sustainable farming practice. Harvest is made by hand to select the best grapes, and we use conveyor and Pneumatic press for a long and gentle pressing to get the most aromas possible. We exclusively use Indigenous yeast.
For White wines, alcoholic and malolactic fermentation are under temperature controlled in stainless steel tanks for 50% of the wine and 50% in Oak Barrel (of 228 liters). Ageing on lees after fermentations of 8 months, in both stainless steel tanks and old oak barrels. Bottling 8 months minimum after harvest. We have a minimum filtration to preserve the maximum natural character of the wine, then bottling under low pressure on a bottling line designed to protect quality. We use a minimum sulphiting during vinification process and Blending, fining, filtration and no settling.
For Red wines, our Pinot Noir are selected on Conveyor / Destemming / Crushing / Vatting / Maceration and vinification take a week with use of indigenous yeasts. Cap Punching & Pumping over twice a day.
Temperature of 20°C is under total control to preserve Fruit aromas. When we have a density of 1010, devatting process. We extract juice and press the rest of the grapes and blend both Juices (Juice from the tank (Jus de Goute and Juice from the Press (Jus de Presse). 50% of the wine goes to old oak barrel (228liters) and 50% goes to Tank during 8 months. Minimum filtration to preserve the maximum natural character of the wine, then bottling under low pressure on a bottling line designed to protect quality. We use a minimum sulphiting during vinification, Blending, Fining, filtration.
How to get to Domaine de la Bretauche ?
Location
Latitude - 47.817517
Longitude - 3.791335
By car
From the south, follow A6 towards D944 to Nitry. Take exit 21-Nitry and leave A6. Take D91 towards Rue de la Bretauche in Chablis.
From the north, national 77 direction Auxerre then Bretauche.
By train
SNCF stations of Auxerre at 20 km and Tonnerre at 15 km.
By plane
Dijon Airport - Burgundy (140 km)
