Joseph Voillot, Domaine
Summary
Domaine Joseph Voillot is a family-owned Burgundian estate in Volnay with 8 hectares of vineyards across Volnay and Pommard Premier Crus, focusing exclusively on Pinot Noir from limestone-dominant soils and vines aged 25-70 years. Their traditional approach features sustainable viticulture, native yeast fermentations in open-top wooden vats, minimal new oak influence (10-25%), and patient aging that produces terroir-expressive wines built for development over 5-10 years.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Joseph Voillot was established in 1875 in the village of Volnay, Burgundy. For nearly 150 years, the estate has remained family-owned, with each generation contributing to its development while maintaining its traditions. Joseph Voillot himself guided the domaine through much of the 20th century, establishing its reputation for quality Volnay and Pommard wines.
In 1995, the estate transitioned to the leadership of Jean-Pierre Charlot, Joseph Voillot's son-in-law. Charlot, a former professor at the Lycée Viticole in Beaune, brought his technical expertise and educational background to the domaine. Under his direction, the estate has maintained its traditional approach while implementing precise viticultural practices. In recent years, Charlot has been joined by his nephew Etienne Chaix, ensuring continuity for the next generation of family stewardship.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Joseph Voillot manages approximately 8 hectares of vineyards divided between the neighboring communes of Volnay and Pommard. In Volnay, the domaine holds parcels in several Premier Cru vineyards including Champans, Fremiets, Caillerets, and Les Angles. Their Pommard holdings include sections of the Premier Crus Rugiens and Epenots.
The vineyards are planted predominantly to Pinot Noir, with vine ages ranging from 25 to 70 years. This diversity of vine age contributes to the complexity of the resulting wines. The soils in their Volnay parcels tend toward limestone with varying amounts of clay, while their Pommard sites contain higher clay content, influencing the structural differences between wines from these adjacent appellations.
The domaine produces village-level Volnay and Pommard, along with their Premier Cru bottlings. Each wine is vinified separately to express the distinct characteristics of its vineyard origin. Production remains deliberately small, with approximately 35,000 bottles produced annually across their range.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking philosophy at Domaine Joseph Voillot centers on transparent expression of terroir through traditional Burgundian methods. In the vineyard, they practice sustainable viticulture with careful canopy management and yield control. Harvest is conducted entirely by hand, with rigorous sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery.
In the cellar, fermentation occurs with native yeasts in traditional open-top wooden vats. Maceration typically lasts 12-15 days, with gentle extraction methods including minimal punch-downs to preserve fruit purity. The wines are aged in French oak barrels for 15-18 months, with 10-25% new oak depending on the vineyard and vintage.
Jean-Pierre Charlot maintains a consistent approach focused on balance and longevity rather than power or extraction. The domaine does not fine their wines and filters only lightly when necessary. This minimal-intervention approach in both vineyard and cellar results in wines that require time to reveal their full complexity, typically showing best after 5-10 years of bottle age for the Premier Crus.