The Remarkable History of Domaine de Villaine
From the Stars of Southern Burgundy Sale
by Tom Wolf
Aubert de Villaine
© Gail Skoff
Pierre de Benoist
© Joanie Bonfiglio
A bottle of Domaine de Villaine’s Bourgogne rouge “La Fortune”
© Joanie Bonfiglio
© Joanie Bonfiglio
They have been fervent believers in the Côte Chalonnaise for decades, not as a source of value-driven equivalents of the Côte d’Or’s great sites, but as an extension of Burgundy’s noble terroirs.
Aubert de Villaine
© Gail Skoff
Pierre de Benoist
© Joanie Bonfiglio
A bottle of Domaine de Villaine’s Bourgogne rouge “La Fortune”
© Joanie Bonfiglio
© Joanie Bonfiglio
They have been fervent believers in the Côte Chalonnaise for decades, not as a source of value-driven equivalents of the Côte d’Or’s great sites, but as an extension of Burgundy’s noble terroirs.
In the early 1970s, as Aubert de Villaine joined Burgundy’s most exalted domaine, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, he and his wife Pamela purchased a run-down domaine thirty miles south in Bouzeron, which they also made their home. As derelict as the property was, Aubert and Pamela grasped the exhilarating promise of the Côte Chalonnaise’s relatively uncharted terroirs, not only for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but also Aligoté. At the same time that Aubert was overseeing the most prized Pinot Noir vineyards in Burgundy, he was also falling in love with what may have been the region’s most overlooked vineyard land.
I couldn’t help but think about this paradox recently. My colleagues and I were meeting with Aubert’s nephew Pierre de Benoist, who now runs Domaine de Villaine, and someone likened the exposition and elevation of Pierre’s new Rully premier cru “Rabourcé” vineyard to the legendary “Cros Parantoux” parcel in Vosne-Romanée. While most vignerons would eagerly accept, and even encourage this comparison, Pierre simply deadpanned, “Or maybe Cros Parantoux is exactly like Rabourcé,” before flashing a mischievous grin.
What Pierre playfully reaffirmed was that he, Aubert, and Pamela have been fervent believers in the Côte Chalonnaise for decades, not as a source of value-driven equivalents of the Côte d’Or’s great sites, but as an extension of Burgundy’s noble terroirs for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and arguably the very finest terroir for Aligoté. For nearly five decades, we have imported the domaine’s overachieving Bouzeron Aligoté and Bourgognes which perennially outclass many of the region’s more prestigious growths. More recently, Pierre doubled down on his faith in the Côte Chalonnaise by purchasing several hectares of Rully premier cru vineyards just south of Bouzeron. In terms of drinkability, complexity, terroir transparency, and longevity, the whites and reds below clearly prove that Burgundy’s unmatched greatness continues south past the Côte d’Or.
Wines In The Collection
Domaine De Villaine France | Burgundy
Aligoté may actually be an even more precise conduit for Burgundian terroir than Chardonnay.
Domaine de Villaine France | Burgundy
This wine contains serious energy, with aromatic finesse, refined bitter notes, and a long, elegant finish—sure signs of great things to come.
Domaine De Villaine France | Burgundy
This rouge is so silky and aromatic, reminiscent of strawberries and cherries. Open it over the next five years to fully enjoy its bright, fresh character.
Domaine De Villaine France | Burgundy
The finesse of the nose alone is somewhat overwhelming. This wine consistently impresses. It truly has it all.
Domaine De Villaine France | Burgundy
Very pure, with a beautiful noble tannin and excellent finish.
Domaine de Villaine France | Burgundy
Rabourcé is considered one of the top premiers crus in Rully. Its old vines sit on a steep clay and limestone slope and yield a complex, powerful white Burgundy.
Domaine de Villaine France | Burgundy
A rare blend of six premier cru bottlings that balances each parcel’s unique character in a delicate harmony.
Domaine de Villaine France | Burgundy
Evoking fresh orchard fruit, white flowers, and chalk, Les Margotés is remarkably pure and will continue to age beautifully over 10-15 years.
Domaine de Villaine France | Burgundy
Les Champs Cloux is fresh, with good acidity, but also among the domaine’s more robust reds.
Domaine De Villaine France | Burgundy
Stylistically, Les Clous is in between La Fortune and La Digoine, characterized by medium weight with more red fruits, smooth but present tannins, and distinctive polish.
Domaine de Villaine France | Burgundy
From the southern edge of the Côte d’Or, this outstanding Santenay is so expressive, with notes of red fruit, rose petals, peonies, and a touch of spice.
France | Burgundy
Aligoté may actually be an even more precise conduit for Burgundian terroir than Chardonnay.
France | Burgundy
This wine contains serious energy, with aromatic finesse, refined bitter notes, and a long, elegant finish—sure signs of great things to come.
France | Burgundy
This rouge is so silky and aromatic, reminiscent of strawberries and cherries. Open it over the next five years to fully enjoy its bright, fresh character.
France | Burgundy
The finesse of the nose alone is somewhat overwhelming. This wine consistently impresses. It truly has it all.
France | Burgundy
Very pure, with a beautiful noble tannin and excellent finish.
France | Burgundy
Rabourcé is considered one of the top premiers crus in Rully. Its old vines sit on a steep clay and limestone slope and yield a complex, powerful white Burgundy.
France | Burgundy
A rare blend of six premier cru bottlings that balances each parcel’s unique character in a delicate harmony.
France | Burgundy
Evoking fresh orchard fruit, white flowers, and chalk, Les Margotés is remarkably pure and will continue to age beautifully over 10-15 years.
France | Burgundy
Les Champs Cloux is fresh, with good acidity, but also among the domaine’s more robust reds.
France | Burgundy
Stylistically, Les Clous is in between La Fortune and La Digoine, characterized by medium weight with more red fruits, smooth but present tannins, and distinctive polish.
France | Burgundy
From the southern edge of the Côte d’Or, this outstanding Santenay is so expressive, with notes of red fruit, rose petals, peonies, and a touch of spice.
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