Heitz-Lochardet, Domaine
Summary
Domaine Heitz-Lochardet is a revitalized 5-hectare family estate in Chassagne-Montrachet producing terroir-driven Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from premier cru vineyards across the limestone-clay soils of the Côte de Beaune. Under fifth-generation winemaker Armand Heitz, who reclaimed control from négociant Joseph Drouhin between 2011-2015, the estate combines organic farming with traditional Burgundian techniques to create wines of transparent expression that have quickly established the domain as a respected producer.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Heitz-Lochardet traces its origins to 1857, when the Lochardet family established their winemaking enterprise in Burgundy. The domain evolved through marriage when Georges Lochardet's daughter, Brigitte, married Christian Heitz, creating the hyphenated family name that continues today. For much of the late 20th century, the family leased their vineyard holdings to Joseph Drouhin, a prominent négociant in the region, while maintaining ownership of their land.
A significant transition occurred in 2011 when Armand Heitz, representing the fifth generation, completed his enology studies and began reclaiming parcels from Drouhin to produce wines under the family label. By 2015, Armand had fully resumed control of all family vineyards, marking a new chapter in the domain's history. Under his leadership, the estate has reestablished its identity as an independent producer focused on expressing the distinct terroirs within their holdings.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Heitz-Lochardet manages approximately 5 hectares of vineyards spread across several prestigious Burgundian appellations. Their holdings include parcels in Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet, Volnay, and Pommard, with several premier cru designations. The domain produces both white wines from Chardonnay and red wines from Pinot Noir, reflecting the traditional grape varieties of the Côte de Beaune.
In Meursault, they cultivate plots in the premier cru sites of Les Perrières and Les Genevrières. Their Chassagne-Montrachet holdings include premier cru Morgeot, while their red wine production centers on Volnay premier cru Les Taillepieds and Pommard premier cru Clos des Poutures. The vineyards sit on the classic limestone-clay soils of the Côte de Beaune, with variations in the limestone-to-clay ratio contributing to the distinctive character of each wine. The domain also produces a small quantity of Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, representing their most prestigious white wine offering.
Philosophy & Practice
Since taking control of the domain, Armand Heitz has implemented organic farming practices across all vineyard holdings, receiving official certification in 2018. The viticultural approach emphasizes minimal intervention, with careful manual work in the vineyards to maintain low yields and achieve optimal grape ripeness.
In the cellar, Heitz employs traditional Burgundian winemaking techniques while incorporating thoughtful modern approaches. For white wines, whole-cluster pressing is followed by fermentation and aging in French oak barrels, with new oak usage varying by appellation and vintage but typically ranging from 20-40%. Red wines undergo partial or complete destemming depending on the vintage, with gentle extraction methods during fermentation to preserve fruit purity and terroir expression.
The domain's philosophy centers on transparent winemaking that allows each vineyard site to express its distinctive character. Minimal filtration is employed before bottling, and sulfur additions are kept to necessary minimums. This balanced approach between tradition and precision has established Domaine Heitz-Lochardet as a producer focused on authentic representations of Burgundy's diverse terroirs.