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France • Burgundy • Saint-Aubin • Chardonnay & Pinot Noir • Biodynamics • Natural Wine

Domaine Dominique Derain – The Pioneering Soul of Natural Wine in Burgundy

A visionary estate turned artisanal reference

Domaine Dominique Derain is one of the most respected and influential names in artisanal Burgundy. Long before natural wine became a global movement, Dominique Derain — former cooper, free spirit and visionary winemaker — emerged as a pioneer of biodynamics and a winemaking philosophy based on purity, sincerity, and deep fidelity to terroir.

Established in Saint-Aubin in 1988, he built an estate that has become cult, as much for the depth of its wines as for the integrity of its approach. Today, Derain’s bottles remain essential references for natural wine lovers and Burgundy collectors seeking transparency and vibrancy.

A terroir of limestone and light, cultivated with absolute respect

The estate extends across the limestone slopes of Saint-Aubin, characterized by Jurassic white marls and cool exposures ranging from east to southeast. Derain adopted organic farming and later biodynamics very early on — long before these practices spread across Burgundy.

Foundational principles:

Hand-harvesting only,
gentle ploughing and deep soil observation,
herbal teas and biodynamic preparations,
no systemic chemicals,
vine balance always prioritized over yield.

These practices produce grapes of exceptional purity, the foundation of Derain’s unmistakable style.

Essential winemaking, free of artifice

In the cellar, Derain has always embraced a humble, low-intervention approach: the wine must follow its own rhythm and energy. His philosophy relies on a few radical and uncompromising principles:

spontaneous fermentations with indigenous yeasts,
no fining,
rare filtration, only when absolutely required,
long élevage in old barrels or tanks,
minimal sulfur, often added only at bottling.

The result is wines that are vibrant, luminous, straight, and alive — never dressed up.

Signature cuvées

Cuvée	Description & Style
Saint-Aubin 1er Cru “Sur le Sentier du Clou”	High-altitude Chardonnay with precision, saline depth, and crystalline clarity. Energetic and beautifully textured.
Pommard “Les Petits Noizons”	A lively, structured Pinot Noir from hillside vineyards. Fine tannins, pure red fruit, and mineral character.
Gevrey-Chambertin “En Vosne”	A historic négociant cuvée with noble grain, floral perfume, and subtle structure. One of the estate’s most sought-after bottles.

Transmission & Legacy – A cult Burgundian signature

In 2016, Dominique Derain entrusted the domaine to Julien Altaber and Carole Schwab, who continue the biodynamic philosophy while adding their own sensitivity and precision. The style remains anchored in purity, freshness, tension and transparency.