Michelot, Domaine
Summary
Domaine Michelot is a family-owned Burgundian estate managing 19 hectares of vineyards primarily in Meursault, focusing on Chardonnay production from limestone and clay soils across premier cru sites including Genevrières, Charmes, and Les Perrières. Their winemaking balances traditional Burgundian methods with thoughtful refinements, employing extended lees aging, measured oak influence, and sustainable viticulture to preserve the transparent expression of their mature vineyard sites.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Michelot traces its roots to the village of Meursault in Burgundy's Côte de Beaune. The estate was established by Bernard Michelot in the mid-20th century and has remained family-operated through subsequent generations. In the 1990s, Bernard's daughter Véronique and her husband Jean-François Mestre assumed management of the domaine, bringing new perspectives while maintaining the family's winemaking traditions.
The current generation is represented by Nicolas Mestre, who joined the family business in 2006 after completing his oenology studies. Nicolas officially took over operations in 2015, continuing the family's stewardship of their vineyards. Under his direction, the domaine has maintained its focus on expressing the distinct terroirs of Meursault while implementing technical improvements in both vineyard management and cellar practices.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Michelot manages approximately 19 hectares of vineyards, primarily concentrated in the Meursault appellation with additional holdings in Puligny-Montrachet and Santenay. The estate's portfolio includes several premier cru parcels in Meursault: Genevrières, Charmes, Poruzots, and Les Perrières. Their village-level holdings include plots in Meursault Narvaux, Limozin, and Clos Saint-Félix.
The vineyards feature the classic limestone and clay soils typical of the Côte de Beaune, with variations in the ratio of these elements contributing to the distinctive character of each site. The domaine's plantings are predominantly Chardonnay (approximately 80%), with the remainder dedicated to Pinot Noir, particularly in their Santenay holdings. The average vine age across the estate is 35 years, with some parcels containing vines over 50 years old.
Philosophy & Practice
Domaine Michelot employs a balanced approach to viticulture, focusing on maintaining healthy soils and vines through careful management practices. In the vineyard, they practice sustainable viticulture with emphasis on reduced chemical interventions and manual work including hand-harvesting across all parcels.
In the cellar, white wines undergo whole-cluster pressing followed by settling for 12-24 hours before fermentation. The domaine uses a combination of temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels for fermentation and aging. For their premier cru whites, fermentation and aging typically occur in oak barrels with approximately 20-25% new oak, while village-level wines see a lower percentage of new oak to preserve fruit expression.
Red wine production involves partial destemming, with the percentage varying according to vintage conditions. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled tanks with gentle extraction methods, followed by aging in French oak barrels for 12-15 months.
Nicolas Mestre has introduced several refinements to the winemaking process, including extended lees aging for white wines and more precise barrel selection, while maintaining the domaine's commitment to producing wines that reflect their specific terroirs.