Coffinet Duvernay, Domaine
Summary
Domaine Coffinet-Duvernay is a family-operated estate managing 5.5 hectares in Chassagne-Montrachet, focusing primarily on Chardonnay from limestone-rich premier cru sites including Fairandes, Blanchots Dessus, and Les Caillerets. Established in 1993 when Philippe Duvernay and Laura Coffinet combined their inherited vineyards, the domaine has quickly gained recognition through their terroir-focused approach, sustainable viticulture, and minimal intervention winemaking that showcases the precision and mineral expression of their 40-50 year old vines.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Coffinet-Duvernay was established in 1993 when Philippe Duvernay and Laura Coffinet combined their family vineyard holdings in Chassagne-Montrachet. The domaine represents the union of two Burgundian families with deep roots in the region. Philippe Duvernay manages the vineyards and winemaking operations, while Laura Coffinet contributes to the business aspects of the estate. Their domaine is based in the village of Chassagne-Montrachet, operating from cellars located in the heart of the village.
The Coffinet family has a long history in Chassagne-Montrachet, with vineyard holdings passed down through generations. When Laura Coffinet married Philippe Duvernay, they created this new domaine that continues to build on their families' winemaking traditions. The domaine remains family-operated, maintaining a modest size that allows for hands-on management of their vineyards and careful attention to winemaking.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Coffinet-Duvernay manages approximately 5.5 hectares of vineyards, primarily located in Chassagne-Montrachet. Their holdings include parcels in several premier cru vineyards, including Fairandes, Blanchots Dessus, and Les Caillerets for white wines, and Morgeot for red wines. The domaine produces both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with a stronger emphasis on white wine production, reflecting Chassagne-Montrachet's reputation for exceptional Chardonnay.
The vineyards are planted on the classic limestone and clay soils of the Côte de Beaune, with variations in soil composition across different parcels. In the premier cru vineyards, the soils typically feature higher limestone content with varying amounts of clay and marl. The vines in their premier cru parcels average 40-50 years in age, contributing to the concentration and complexity of the resulting wines.
The domaine produces village-level Chassagne-Montrachet in both white and red, several premier cru white wines, and a premier cru red from Morgeot. Their production also includes a small amount of Bourgogne Blanc and Bourgogne Rouge from vineyards at the village periphery.
Philosophy & Practice
Domaine Coffinet-Duvernay follows traditional Burgundian winemaking methods with a focus on expressing the distinct terroir of each vineyard site. In the vineyards, they practice sustainable viticulture with careful canopy management and yield control. Harvest is conducted by hand, with rigorous sorting to ensure only the highest quality grapes enter the winery.
For white wine production, the domaine uses pneumatic pressing followed by settling of the juice before fermentation. The Chardonnay wines undergo fermentation and aging in French oak barrels, with approximately 25-30% new oak for village wines and up to 40% for premier crus. The wines typically remain in barrel for 11-12 months before bottling.
Their red wines are destemmed to varying degrees depending on the vintage, with fermentation in temperature-controlled tanks. Pinot Noir wines are aged in French oak barrels for 12-15 months, with a similar approach to new oak as their white wines.
Philippe Duvernay focuses on minimal intervention in the cellar, allowing the characteristics of each vineyard site to emerge in the finished wines. The domaine's wines are known for their precision and their ability to express the mineral character of Chassagne-Montrachet's terroir, particularly in their white wines.