Mischief and Mayhem
Summary
Mischief and Mayhem is a small-scale micro-négociant founded in 2003 by Michael Ragg in Aloxe-Corton, producing limited quantities of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from select vineyards across Burgundy's premier and grand cru sites. Their hands-on approach emphasizes minimal intervention winemaking with gentle pressing, careful oak management, and minimal filtration, allowing each of their 1,500-3,000 annual cases to express the distinctive character of Burgundy's diverse terroirs.
Heritage & Leadership
Mischief and Mayhem was established in 2003 by Michael Ragg and his wife Fiona in the village of Aloxe-Corton in Burgundy's Côte de Beaune. Michael Ragg brought significant wine expertise to the venture, having worked for twelve years at London wine merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd as a fine wine specialist focusing on Burgundy. This professional background provided him with extensive knowledge of the region and valuable connections with growers and producers throughout the Côte d'Or.
The Raggs operate Mischief and Mayhem as a micro-négociant business, deliberately maintaining a small-scale operation that allows for hands-on involvement in all aspects of production. In 2005, they were joined by friend and business partner Michael Sorg, who strengthened the company's operational capabilities. The name "Mischief and Mayhem" reflects their somewhat unconventional approach within the traditionally conservative Burgundy region, while still maintaining deep respect for Burgundian winemaking traditions.
Vineyards & Wines
As a micro-négociant, Mischief and Mayhem sources grapes from carefully selected vineyards across Burgundy's key appellations rather than owning extensive vineyard holdings. They maintain long-term relationships with growers in premier and grand cru sites throughout the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. Their portfolio encompasses wines from prestigious appellations including Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée, and Chambolle-Musigny.
The company produces both white wines from Chardonnay and red wines from Pinot Noir, focusing on small-batch production that highlights the distinctive terroir of each vineyard site. Annual production remains deliberately limited, typically yielding between 1,500 to 3,000 cases total across all their wines. This approach allows for meticulous attention to each cuvée. Their range spans village-level wines, premier crus, and select grand cru bottlings, with particular emphasis on expressing site-specific characteristics.
Philosophy & Practice
Mischief and Mayhem's winemaking philosophy centers on minimal intervention to showcase vineyard character and vintage expression. For white wines, they employ gentle whole-bunch pressing followed by settling of the juice before fermentation. Their Chardonnays typically undergo barrel fermentation and aging in French oak, with new oak percentages carefully calibrated according to the wine's structure and appellation level.
For red wines, the approach includes careful sorting of grapes, partial or complete destemming depending on the vintage and vineyard, and temperature-controlled fermentation. Extraction methods are gentle, avoiding over-manipulation of the cap. Red wines age in French oak barrels, with premier and grand cru wines receiving a higher percentage of new oak, typically between 25-50% depending on the wine's concentration and structure.
The company maintains strict quality control by working closely with their grower partners throughout the growing season and by making key decisions about harvest timing. Their small scale allows for detailed attention during vinification, with all wines bottled without fining and with minimal filtration when possible. This hands-on approach reflects their commitment to producing wines that authentically express Burgundy's diverse terroirs.