Domaine Chandon de Briailles

Domaine Chandon de Briailles was founded in 1834 by Count de Nicolay and has remained in family hands ever since. The modern era of the estate began in the early 1980s when Nadine de Nicolay joined and halted the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides. Claude de Nicolay took over as winemaker in 1988, and François de Nicolay joined in 2001, becoming the driving force behind the estate's full conversion to biodynamic viticulture. The domaine achieved Demeter certification in 2011 and Ecocert certification in 2012.

• Founded 1834 by Count de Nicolay; unbroken family ownership
• Organic farming began in 1998 under Nadine de Nicolay
• Claude de Nicolay took over winemaking in 1988
• François de Nicolay joined in 2001 and led the biodynamic transition

The domaine has been fully biodynamic since 2005, earning Demeter certification in 2011. Horse-drawn cultivation replaced tractor work from 2011 onward, and the estate sold its last tractor entirely. In place of conventional sulfur treatments for powdery mildew, the team uses skimmed milk. No enological products are used in the cellar, sulfite additions are kept minimal, and all wines are bottled without fining or filtration. Some cuvées have been produced completely sulfur-free since 2017.

• Biodynamic since 2005; Demeter-certified since 2011
• Horse-drawn cultivation used exclusively since 2011
• Skimmed milk replaces sulfur treatments for powdery mildew
• No fining, no filtration, minimal to no sulfites across the range

The 13.7 hectares of vineyards are located 4 kilometers north of Beaune in the Côte d'Or, spread across three communes: Savigny-lès-Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses, and Aloxe-Corton. Soils range from clay-limestone to deep iron-rich clay, depending on the parcel. The highest parcels sit at approximately 350 meters elevation. The continental temperate climate with cool conditions suits both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Prestige holdings include Corton Grand Cru parcels and the Premier Cru Île des Vergelesses.

• Vineyards in Savigny-lès-Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses, and Aloxe-Corton
• Soils: clay-limestone, equal-part limestone and clay, and deep iron-rich soils
• Highest parcel at approximately 350 meters elevation
• Holdings include Corton Grand Cru and Île des Vergelesses Premier Cru

Domaine Chandon de Briailles is committed to minimal-intervention winemaking. Whole-cluster fermentation has historically been used across the range, though it is now adapted by vintage and wine type. New oak is kept deliberately low: 0 to 15 percent for premiers crus and 5 to 20 percent for grands crus. Wines are aged for 13 months in 13th-century cellars before bottling without fining or filtration. The result is traditionally-styled Burgundy that emphasizes freshness and minerality over extraction or oak influence. Neal Martin has described the domaine as one of the most overlooked and underrated producers in the Côte d'Or.

• Whole-cluster fermentation used historically; adapted by vintage
• New oak: 0-15% for premiers crus, 5-20% for grands crus
• 13-month aging in 13th-century cellars
• Described by Neal Martin as one of the most underrated Côte d'Or producers