Fixin AOC

Viticulture in the area dates back to Roman times, with the wine trade expanding significantly when Benedictine and Cistercian monastic orders cultivated vineyards for liturgical and commercial use. In 1142, Duke Eudes II of Burgundy donated lands at Fixin to his brother Henri, a monk at the Abbey of Cîteaux, and the Cistercians proceeded to develop what is now the Clos de la Perrière, building cellars and planting vines on the enclosed five-hectare site. The monks cultivated the Clos for nearly 500 years before selling the estate in 1622. After passing through several families, the Joliet family purchased the entire Clos in 1853 and have maintained it as a monopole ever since. The AOC was officially established on December 8, 1936. In 1860, the neighbouring hamlet of Fixey was merged into Fixin, expanding the commune to its current boundaries.

• In 1142, Cistercian monks from the Abbey of Cîteaux established the walled Clos de la Perrière and built the Manoir de la Perrière above its cellars
• The Joliet family purchased the Clos de la Perrière monopole in 1853; Bénigne Joliet took over management in 1998 and today runs the domaine with his daughter Camille
• Fixin AOC officially recognized on December 8, 1936, covering the communes of Fixin and Brochon
• The commune of Fixey was incorporated into Fixin in 1860, and the village remains on the prestigious Route des Grands Crus

Fixin sits at the northern end of the Côte de Nuits, bordered by Marsannay to the north and Gevrey-Chambertin to the south. The terrain rises from around 290 to 350 meters on the lower slopes, with Premier Cru vineyards sited on the upper hillside at 350 to 380 meters altitude, providing steep, well-drained sites with the limestone-rich soils characteristic of Burgundy. The Premier Cru plots sit on reasonably homogeneous brown limestone soils with east to southeast exposures; in some spots, such as Hervelets, the soil is more marly. Lower-lying village-level plots have a mixture of limestone and marl, with more alluvial content than the upper slopes. The climate is continental, with relatively hot, dry summers and cool winters, producing high diurnal temperature variation that helps balance natural sugar development with the acidity that gives Fixin wines their structure.

• Premier Cru vineyards are positioned on brown limestone soils at 350 to 380 meters altitude with east to southeast-facing exposures
• Fixin's soil profile is similar to Gevrey-Chambertin but lower and with a higher proportion of alluvial material in the lower plots
• Continental climate with pronounced diurnal temperature variation helps Pinot Noir retain acidity alongside ripe fruit
• All six Premier Cru vineyards are grouped together on the upper western slopes of the commune, above the Route des Grands Crus

Pinot Noir dominates production at around 96 percent, with Chardonnay occupying roughly five to six hectares for white wine production. AOC regulations permit Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and (until 2011) Pinot Gris as accessory grapes in red wines up to a combined maximum of 15 percent, though this is rarely practiced. Red Fixin wines are typically deep ruby to garnet in color, with a nose of violet, blackcurrant, Morello cherry, and cherry pit, often accompanied by peppery and earthy notes. They can be firmly tannic in youth but develop a rounded, solid structure with age, with the best examples capable of aging seven to fifteen years. White Fixin is rare; made predominantly from Chardonnay, it shows a golden color with rosehip and mineral character.

• Pinot Noir accounts for approximately 96% of production; Chardonnay covers around 5 to 6 hectares for white wine production
• Pinot Gris was removed as a permitted variety in 2011; Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc remain permitted accessory grapes in red wines at a combined maximum of 15%
• Red wines are known for violet, blackcurrant, Morello cherry, and earthy notes; firm tannins in youth soften with five to fifteen years of aging
• White Fixin is very rare and consumed mostly locally; it shows a mineral, floral character and can age three to six years

Domaine Joliet is the most historically significant estate in Fixin, holding the Clos de la Perrière as a five-hectare monopole since 1853 and currently managed by Bénigne Joliet and his daughter Camille. Domaine Pierre Gelin, founded in 1925 by Pierre Gelin and today run by his grandson Pierre-Emmanuel, is the leading producer in the village, holding 32 acres including parcels in five of the Fixin Premier Crus and the Clos Napoléon monopole, which the family has owned since 1950. Pierre-Emmanuel farms organically. Domaine René Bouvier, based in Gevrey-Chambertin and managed by Bernard Bouvier since 1992, produces a well-regarded Fixin village wine from the 'Crais de Chêne' climat with 55-year-old vines. Méo-Camuzet also produces a notable Clos du Chapitre Premier Cru.

• Domaine Joliet monopole: Clos de la Perrière, 5 hectares, established by Cistercian monks in 1142 and held by the Joliet family since 1853
• Domaine Pierre Gelin, founded 1925, holds the 1.8-hectare Clos Napoléon monopole as its flagship wine; the vineyard has been in Gelin family hands since 1950
• Clos Napoléon was historically called Aux Cheusots; it was owned by Napoleon loyalist Claude Noisot before Pierre Gelin acquired it
• Domaine René Bouvier produces highly rated village Fixin from the 'Crais de Chêne' climat using old vines and low-intervention winemaking

Fixin received its AOC designation on December 8, 1936. The appellation covers the communes of Fixin and Brochon, and wines from within the area may also claim the Côte de Nuits-Villages appellation. There are six Premier Cru climats, all located on the upper western slopes of the commune. The main grape for red wine is Pinot Noir, with Chardonnay as the main grape for white wine; up to 15 percent combined Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and (formerly) Pinot Gris may be used as accessory varieties in red wines, though this provision is rarely exercised. The allowed base yield is 40 hectoliters per hectare for red wine and 45 for white. There are no Grand Cru vineyards in either Fixin or Brochon.

• Six Premier Cru climats: Arvelets, Clos de la Perrière, Clos du Chapitre, Clos Napoléon, Hervelets, Les Meix Bas; Clos Napoléon's former name was Aux Cheusots
• Minimum potential alcohol: 10.5% village red, 11.0% village white and Premier Cru red, 11.5% Premier Cru white
• Base yield: 40 hl/ha red, 45 hl/ha white; accessory white grapes permitted in red wines at max 15% combined (Pinot Gris removed 2011)
• No Grand Cru vineyards in Fixin or Brochon; Fixin wines may also be sold as Côte de Nuits-Villages

Fixin sits on the Route des Grands Crus south of Dijon and rewards visitors with both wine and cultural attractions. The Parc Noisot was created by Claude Noisot, a grenadier captain and devoted Napoleonic loyalist, who commissioned Dijon sculptor François Rude to create the bronze sculpture known as 'Le Réveil de Napoléon' (The Awakening of Napoleon), inaugurated in 1847. The village also features the 10th-century church of Saint-Antoine (with a bell tower and oratory dating to 902 AD), the Manoir de la Perrière where Cistercian monks once resided, and a distinctive semicircular communal washhouse designed by Dijon architect Auguste Sirodot in 1827. Domaine Joliet and Domaine Pierre Gelin both welcome visitors for tastings.

• Parc Noisot contains François Rude's bronze 'Le Réveil de Napoléon', commissioned by Claude Noisot and inaugurated in 1847
• The church of Saint-Antoine features a bell tower and oratory dating to 902 AD and is surrounded by vineyards
• The communal washhouse, designed by Dijon architect Auguste Sirodot in 1827, is one of Burgundy's finest examples of the form
• Domaine Joliet's 12th-century vaulted cellars, built by Cistercian monks, are open for visits and wine tastings