Jean Chauvenet, Domaine
Summary
Domaine Jean Chauvenet is a family-owned estate spanning 9.5 hectares in Nuits-Saint-Georges, producing exclusively Pinot Noir wines from premier cru and village vineyards with limestone and clay soils that vary distinctively across their holdings. Their winemaking balances tradition with careful modernization through sustainable farming, indigenous yeast fermentation, and moderate oak aging (25-50% new oak), resulting in terroir-expressive wines that showcase the classic character of their appellations while offering both immediate appeal and aging potential.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Jean Chauvenet is a family-owned estate based in the Burgundian village of Nuits-Saint-Georges. The domaine has been in the Chauvenet family for multiple generations, with Jean Chauvenet taking over operations from his father in the 1970s. In 1990, Jean was joined by his son-in-law Christophe Drag, who gradually assumed greater responsibilities in both vineyard management and winemaking. By the early 2000s, Christophe had taken over primary winemaking duties while Jean maintained an advisory role. Today, Christophe Drag directs the domaine's operations, continuing the family tradition while implementing his own refinements to viticulture and vinification practices.
The domaine maintains a relatively low profile compared to some of its neighbors, focusing on consistent quality rather than marketing. This approach has earned them respect among Burgundy specialists and collectors who value their classic, terroir-driven expressions of Nuits-Saint-Georges.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Jean Chauvenet's holdings comprise approximately 9.5 hectares of vineyards, primarily located within the commune of Nuits-Saint-Georges. These holdings include parcels in several premier cru vineyards: Les Vaucrains, Les Bousselots, Les Damodes, Les Poulettes, and Rue de Chaux. The domaine also produces village-level Nuits-Saint-Georges from various lieu-dits and a small amount of Bourgogne Rouge.
The vineyards feature the classic limestone and clay soils typical of the Côte de Nuits, with variations in the proportion of clay, limestone, and marl contributing to the distinctive character of each site. The premier cru Les Vaucrains, situated on the southern end of Nuits-Saint-Georges near the border with Premeaux, contains higher limestone content and produces structured wines with significant aging potential. In contrast, Les Damodes, located on the northern edge of the appellation near Vosne-Romanée, yields wines with a more elegant profile due to its lighter soils.
The domaine's plantings are exclusively Pinot Noir, with vine ages ranging from 25 to 70 years across different parcels. Vineyard density follows traditional Burgundian practices at approximately 10,000 vines per hectare.
Philosophy & Practice
Domaine Jean Chauvenet adheres to traditional Burgundian winemaking methods while incorporating modern understanding of viticulture and cellar work. In the vineyards, Christophe Drag employs sustainable farming practices, focusing on maintaining healthy soils through careful management of cover crops and limited chemical interventions. Harvest is conducted by hand, with rigorous sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery.
The winemaking approach emphasizes gentle handling to preserve the character of each vineyard site. After destemming (typically 80-100% depending on the vintage and vineyard), the grapes undergo a cold maceration lasting 5-7 days before fermentation begins naturally with indigenous yeasts. Fermentation and maceration last approximately 15-20 days in total, with daily punch-downs (pigeage) and occasional pump-overs (remontage) determined by the character of the vintage.
The wines are aged in French oak barrels for 14-18 months, with the percentage of new oak varying according to the vineyard and vintage—generally 25-30% for village wines and 40-50% for premier crus. Bottling is done without fining and with only light filtration when necessary.
The resulting wines display a characteristic balance between fruit purity, structural integrity, and expression of terroir. While approachable in their youth, the premier crus in particular benefit from 5-15 years of cellaring to reveal their full complexity.