Horees, Les Heritiers du
Summary
Les Heritiers du Comte Lafon, established in 1999 by Dominique Lafon, produces around 60,000 bottles of Chardonnay annually from 14 hectares across the limestone-rich soils of Mâconnais communes including Milly-Lamartine, Bussières, Chardonnay, and Uchizy. The domaine applies traditional Burgundian expertise to these southern terroirs through organic and biodynamic farming, natural yeast fermentation, and 10-12 month lees aging in a combination of stainless steel and neutral French oak.
Heritage & Leadership
Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon was established in 1999 when Dominique Lafon, the director of his family's Meursault-based Domaine des Comtes Lafon, expanded the family's viticultural footprint into the Mâconnais region of southern Burgundy. This venture represents the Lafon family's commitment to exploring the potential of Chardonnay beyond their historic holdings in the Côte de Beaune. Dominique Lafon, who assumed leadership of the family domaine in 1984, personally oversees this project while maintaining direction of the original family estate. The operation is based in the village of Milly-Lamartine, serving as the hub for their Mâconnais production activities.
Vineyards & Wines
Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon encompasses approximately 14 hectares of vineyards spread across several communes in the Mâconnais, including Milly-Lamartine, Bussières, Chardonnay, and Uchizy. The domaine holds parcels in specific climats including Mâcon-Milly-Lamartine, Mâcon-Bussières, Mâcon-Chardonnay Clos de la Crochette, Mâcon-Uchizy Les Maranches, and the Saint-Véran appellation. These vineyards sit on limestone-rich soils typical of the region, with variations of clay content throughout the different parcels. The vineyards are planted exclusively to Chardonnay, with vine ages varying across the holdings. The elevation of the vineyards ranges between 200 and 300 meters above sea level, with many parcels featuring favorable eastern and southern exposures that optimize ripening in this cooler part of Burgundy.
Philosophy & Practice
From its inception, Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon has applied the same rigorous standards practiced at the Meursault domaine. The vineyards are certified organic and have been farmed according to biodynamic principles since the early 2000s. Harvest is conducted entirely by hand, with careful sorting in the vineyard. In the cellar, Dominique Lafon employs natural yeasts for fermentation, which typically occurs in a combination of stainless steel tanks and neutral French oak barrels, depending on the cuvée. The wines generally undergo full malolactic fermentation and are aged on their lees for 10-12 months before bottling with minimal filtration. This approach aims to express the distinct terroirs of the Mâconnais while maintaining the precision and mineral focus that characterizes the Lafon winemaking style. The domaine produces approximately 60,000 bottles annually across its range of wines.