Domaine Chandon de Briailles – Biodynamic precision across Savigny-lès-Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses & Corton

A historic family estate crafting pure, mineral-driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the grands terroirs of the Côte de Beaune

The Estate

Family-owned since 1834, Domaine Chandon de Briailles stands as one of the most respected classical estates in the Côte de Beaune. Located in Savigny-lès-Beaune, the de Nicolay family has stewarded this two-century heritage with a resolutely modern vision focused on terroir transparency, precise viticulture and long-term sustainability.

Today, the estate is run by Claude and François de Nicolay, who oversee approximately 13.7 hectares in Savigny-lès-Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses and Aloxe-Corton. This patchwork of climats includes prestigious holdings in Corton Grand Cru and Corton-Charlemagne, enabling the domaine to craft a complete range of expressive Pinot Noir and Chardonnay celebrated for purity, tension and depth.

Terroir & Vineyard

The vineyards of Chandon de Briailles rest on diverse limestone and clay-limestone soils typical of the Côte de Beaune, with high active limestone content and excellent drainage. In Savigny-lès-Beaune, the village and premier cru plots yield structured, spicy and upright reds, while the slopes of Pernand-Vergelesses deliver remarkable mineral tension and salinity in both reds and whites.

In Aloxe-Corton and across the Corton hill, the estate farms several key parcels, including Corton Grand Cru (Clos du Roi, Bressandes…) and Corton-Charlemagne. These elevated, breezy slopes encourage slow, even ripening and produce wines of great longevity, combining power, freshness and sculpted structure.

Philosophy & Viticulture

A pioneer of responsible viticulture in Burgundy, the estate began its conversion to organic farming in the late 1990s and achieved full biodynamic certification in 2011. Many parcels are ploughed by horse to preserve soil structure, while natural preparations — including the estate’s well-known milk-based tisane against oidium — are preferred over synthetic treatments.

All grapes are hand-harvested with meticulous sorting. Yields are deliberately kept low to ensure natural concentration and ripeness. The aim is to protect the balance of each vine, encourage microbial life and harvest fruit that is healthy, expressive and ideally suited for minimal-intervention winemaking.

Winemaking & Ageing

In the cellar, the domaine follows a classic Burgundian approach focused on finesse and terroir expression. Depending on the vintage, whole-cluster fermentations are used for Pinot Noir and, more occasionally, for Chardonnay. Native yeasts lead the fermentations, with gentle extraction to preserve purity of fruit and silky tannins.

The wines are then aged for 14 to 20 months in oak barrels and large foudres, with a very restrained use of new oak (0–15%). Bottling typically occurs without fining or filtration, ensuring that each cuvée retains its natural texture, aromatic depth and structural precision. The goal is refinement rather than wood signature.

Style

Wines from Domaine Chandon de Briailles are defined by purity, mineral tension and longevity. The Pinot Noirs feature aromas of fresh red and black fruits, subtle gunflint, refined spice and gentle earthiness as they age. The palate is typically precise and satin-textured, supported by fine, elongated tannins and a naturally vibrant acidity.

The Chardonnays from Pernand-Vergelesses and Corton-Charlemagne display a crystalline profile: saline, taut and mineral-driven, with notes of citrus, white fruit, warm stone and delicate florals. The estate’s Premier Crus and Grand Crus are renowned for their capacity to evolve gracefully over decades.

Signature Wines

Savigny-lès-Beaune Premier Cru – Structured, spicy and upright Pinot Noir, showing classical Savigny character with fine tannins and refreshing length.

Pernand-Vergelesses Premier Cru “Île des Vergelesses” – A flagship cuvée in both red and white. Whites are saline, tense and mineral, while reds combine elegance, freshness and depth.

Aloxe-Corton & Corton Grands Crus (Clos du Roi, Bressandes…) – Deep, structured reds with dark fruit, licorice and spice, carried by a serious tannic spine and significant ageing potential.

Chardonnay (Corton-Charlemagne & Pernand-Vergelesses Blancs) – Great Côte de Beaune whites: mineral, tense and elegant, offering citrus, white fruit, gunflint and saline length, with excellent ageing capacity.