Bernard Moreau, Domaine
Summary
Domaine Bernard Moreau is a six-generation family estate in Chassagne-Montrachet with 14 hectares of predominantly Chardonnay vineyards across limestone-clay soils, including several premier crus and a parcel in Bâtard-Montrachet grand cru. Brothers Alexandre and Benoît Moreau maintain traditional methods—indigenous yeast fermentations, judicious oak aging, and minimal intervention—while practicing lutte raisonnée in the vineyards to preserve terroir expression and balance in their wines.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Bernard Moreau traces its roots to 1809 when the Moreau family established their winemaking enterprise in Chassagne-Montrachet. The domaine has remained in family hands through six generations, with each contributing to its development and reputation. Bernard Moreau took the helm in the 1970s, expanding the estate's holdings and refining the winemaking approach before gradually transferring responsibilities to his sons.
Today, the domaine is directed by brothers Alexandre and Benoît Moreau, who assumed control in the early 2000s. Alexandre oversees winemaking operations while Benoît manages the vineyards, creating a balanced leadership structure that maintains continuity while embracing refinement. Under their guidance, the domaine has maintained its focus on expressing the distinct terroirs of Chassagne-Montrachet while making technical improvements in both vineyard management and cellar practices.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Bernard Moreau's holdings span approximately 14 hectares across Chassagne-Montrachet, with additional parcels in Saint-Aubin and Puligny-Montrachet. Their portfolio includes several premier cru vineyards in Chassagne-Montrachet, including Maltroie, Champs Gains, Chenevottes, and Morgeot, along with parcels of village-level vineyards and a small holding in Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru.
The vineyards feature the classic limestone-clay soils of the Côte de Beaune, with variations in the calcium carbonate content and subsoil structure contributing to the distinctive character of each site. The domaine's plantings are predominantly Chardonnay, which accounts for roughly 60% of production, with the remainder dedicated to Pinot Noir. Many of the vineyards contain vines between 40 and 60 years old, particularly in their premier cru parcels, providing concentration and depth to the resulting wines.
Philosophy & Practice
The Moreau brothers employ a meticulous approach to viticulture, practicing lutte raisonnée (reasoned intervention) in the vineyards. This includes plowing to promote healthy soil biology, managing yields through careful pruning, and harvesting by hand to ensure only optimal fruit enters the winery. Their vineyard work emphasizes timing and precision rather than adherence to a specific doctrine.
In the cellar, the Moreaus maintain a traditional approach while incorporating modern understanding of wine chemistry. White wines undergo whole-cluster pressing followed by settling and fermentation with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels, typically 10-25% new depending on the vineyard and vintage. Red wines are partially destemmed, with the percentage varying according to vintage conditions, followed by gentle extraction during fermentation and aging in French oak barrels (15-30% new) for 12-18 months.
The brothers avoid fining and filter minimally before bottling, allowing their wines to express the characteristics of each site and growing season with clarity. Their consistent approach focuses on balance and precision rather than power, resulting in wines that reflect both their terroir and the Moreau family's generations of experience in Chassagne-Montrachet.