Tessier, Domaine
Summary
Domaine Tessier is a small family-operated estate in Meursault where Arnaud Tessier crafts primarily Chardonnay from limestone-rich, calcareous clay soils across several premier cru sites including Les Charmes and Genevrières. Since taking over in the early 2000s, Arnaud has elevated the domaine through his minimal-intervention winemaking philosophy that balances traditional Burgundian techniques with thoughtful innovation, transforming his family's modest holdings into one of the region's most promising estates.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Tessier is a family-owned wine estate based in Meursault, in the Côte de Beaune region of Burgundy. The domaine is currently led by Arnaud Tessier, who assumed control of the family estate in the early 2000s. Arnaud represents a new generation of winemakers in Meursault, building upon the foundation established by his father, Roland Tessier, who managed the domaine for many years prior.
The Tessier family has deep roots in the Meursault area, with their winemaking activities focused on expressing the distinctive terroirs of this renowned white wine village. Under Arnaud's direction, the domaine has maintained its small, family-operated structure while gradually refining its approach to viticulture and winemaking.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Tessier's holdings are concentrated in Meursault, with parcels in several village-level sites and premier cru vineyards. The domaine works primarily with Chardonnay, the dominant grape variety of the region, producing wines that reflect the limestone-rich soils characteristic of Meursault.
The portfolio includes Meursault village wines as well as premier cru bottlings from vineyards such as Meursault "Les Charmes" and Meursault "Genevrières." These sites feature the classic calcareous clay soils that contribute to the structured, mineral-driven profile of Meursault wines. The domaine also produces small quantities of red wine from Pinot Noir.
Production volumes remain modest, allowing for attentive vineyard management and careful vinification of each parcel separately to preserve site-specific characteristics.
Philosophy & Practice
Arnaud Tessier employs traditional Burgundian winemaking methods while incorporating thoughtful refinements based on each vintage's particular characteristics. In the vineyard, work focuses on achieving optimal ripeness while maintaining the natural balance of the fruit.
The white wines undergo barrel fermentation and aging, with careful attention to the proportion of new oak to avoid overwhelming the fruit and terroir expression. Tessier's approach to winemaking emphasizes minimal intervention during the vinification process, allowing the distinctive characteristics of each vineyard site to emerge in the finished wines.
The domaine's wines typically display the classic Meursault profile of rich fruit balanced by mineral precision, with each bottling reflecting its specific vineyard origin through subtle variations in structure and aromatic profile.