Chandon de Briailles — Winery in Savigny-lès-Beaune

The estate has belonged to the de Nicolay family since 1834. Today it is run by brother and sister François and Claude de Nicolay. Together they farm 13.7 hectares in twelve vineyards, spread across three villages: Savigny-lès-Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses and Aloxe-Corton. It is one of the pioneers of biodynamic viticulture in Burgundy. In 2005 they switched from organic to biodynamic farming, and since 2011 they have held the Demeter certification.

In the vineyard they work partly with horses instead of tractors. Against mildew they use skimmed milk instead of sulphur. In the cellar they ferment with whole bunches, use little new oak, and neither fine nor filter. Since 2017 they have made a few wines with no added sulphur. The wines age in an old cellar dating from the time of the Cistercian monks.

The wines

Village wines. Savigny-lès-Beaune rouge, and the white Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Saucours, a small Chardonnay vineyard on limestone.

Premier Cru Savigny. Les Lavières (rich in limestone, mid-slope) and Aux Fournaux. Red, elegant and very fresh.

Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Île des Vergelesses. Chandon de Briailles is the largest owner here. It is the best vineyard in the village, with soil similar to that of the Corton hill. The red is the best known, but there is also a white version and a red with no added sulphur.

Grand Cru Corton. Red from Les Bressandes, among others, and a white Corton made from Chardonnay from Les Bressandes and Corton Chaumes. Corton is the only place in the Côte de Beaune where the Grand Cru can be red.

La Vie Est Belle. A playful Pinot Blanc from Pernand-Vergelesses, different from the estate's classic wines.

These are wines with finesse, a clear sense of origin and great ageing potential. They gain complexity over the years.

Please contact the estate in advance to arrange a visit. Savigny-lès-Beaune is five minutes from Beaune.