Fuisse, Chateau
Summary
Château Fuissé is a fifth-generation family estate spanning 40 hectares across the four villages of Pouilly-Fuissé in southern Burgundy, focusing exclusively on Chardonnay from limestone-clay soils at 250-300 meters elevation. The Vincent family combines traditional methods with technical precision through plot-by-plot vinification and careful oak integration, having helped establish the region's Premier Cru classification while producing terroir-expressive wines that have elevated standards throughout the Mâconnais.
Heritage & Leadership
Château Fuissé stands as one of the Mâconnais region's historical estates, established in 1862 and continuously operated by the Vincent family for five generations. The estate's namesake château, dating to the 15th century, serves as both family residence and the heart of winemaking operations in the village of Fuissé.
The modern era of Château Fuissé began when Jean Vincent and his son Jean-Jacques took control in the 1970s, implementing significant quality-focused changes. Today, Antoine Vincent represents the fifth generation, working alongside his father Jean-Jacques as winemaker and estate manager since 2003. Under their guidance, the estate has expanded its vineyard holdings while maintaining a commitment to expressing the distinctive terroirs of the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation.
The Vincent family's stewardship has coincided with important developments for the region, including their active participation in the successful campaign to establish Premier Cru classifications in Pouilly-Fuissé, which was finally granted in 2020, elevating several of their key vineyard sites.
Vineyards & Wines
Château Fuissé's domain encompasses approximately 40 hectares of vineyards, primarily within the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation, with additional holdings in Saint-Véran and Mâcon-Villages. Their vineyards are distributed across the four villages of the appellation: Fuissé, Solutré, Vergisson, and Chaintré.
The estate's most distinguished vineyard is Le Clos, a 3.5-hectare walled vineyard surrounding the château with vines averaging 45 years of age. This monopole site features limestone-rich soils and received Premier Cru status in 2020. Other significant Premier Cru vineyards include Les Brûlés (1.7 hectares), Les Combettes (0.5 hectares), and Le Clos de Jeanne (0.5 hectares).
The vineyards sit at elevations between 250 and 300 meters above sea level, with varied exposures that contribute to the complexity of their wines. Soil composition varies across sites but predominantly features limestone and clay mixtures, with some parcels containing higher proportions of limestone and others more clay-dominant.
Chardonnay constitutes 100% of their plantings, with the estate producing several distinct bottlings that reflect their specific terroirs. Their production hierarchy includes village-level wines, the Tête de Cru (a selection from older vines), and single-vineyard Premier Cru expressions.
Philosophy & Practice
Château Fuissé employs a meticulous approach to viticulture and winemaking centered on expressing the distinct character of each vineyard site. Their viticultural practices include limited yields, typically between 35-45 hectoliters per hectare for their top cuvées, well below the appellation maximums.
In the winery, the Vincent family implements plot-by-plot vinification, with each parcel harvested and fermented separately to preserve its unique characteristics. Grapes are hand-harvested and undergo gentle pressing before fermentation. For their premier wines, fermentation occurs in oak barrels, with the percentage of new oak varying by cuvée and vintage, typically ranging from 20% to 50%.
The aging protocol at Château Fuissé is tailored to each wine, with their top cuvées spending 10-12 months in barrel followed by additional months in stainless steel tanks before bottling. This approach aims to integrate oak influence while maintaining freshness and mineral expression.
Temperature control during fermentation and aging is carefully managed to preserve aromatic complexity. The estate practices minimal intervention in the cellar, with limited fining and filtration before bottling to preserve the natural character of their wines.
The Vincent family's winemaking philosophy balances respect for tradition with technical precision, resulting in wines that express the distinctive limestone-based terroirs of the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation while maintaining consistency across vintages.