
Domaine Vrignaud
After studying oenology at university and after spending time working at other wineries both in France and abroad, Guillaume Vrignaud returned home in 1999 and gradually assumed responsibility for winemaking and oversaw the expansion of the estate’s production facilities. Under his auspices, the domain now bottles and sells over half of its entire production.
The 19 hectare Domaine Vrignaud is located in the village of Fontenay-Près-Chablis, in the middle of the Premier Cru Fourchaume vineyards. It is a typical Chablisien village, founded in 1130 by the Commanderie of the Templars, and its 12th century church is the oldest in area.
Most of Domaine Vrignaud’s vines are located in and around the commune of Fontenay-Près-Chablis, except for those in the premier cru Mont De Milieu vineyard, situated in the commune of Fleys. Vines are planted at a density of 5,600 per hectare, and they are trained using the double Guyot system. Each plot is worked individually, and in the flatter vineyards ryegrass and bluegrass are planted in between two of every nine rows of vines to reduce soil compaction, to facilitate the passage of the tractor and to reduce soil erosion. Every non-grassed row is ploughed to force the vines to push their roots ever deeper into the Kimmeridgean marl, supplying the characteristic minerality of Vrignaud’s Chablis.
In the more steeply sloping plots, around the middle of May winter cereals are planted between the rows of vines to fight against soil erosion, to assist in the recovery of the soil’s microbial life and to reduce the use of chemical weedkillers.
The Vrignauds are passionate about sustainable viticulture and the minimal use of chemicals in their vineyards. No fertilisers have been used for over 20 years and an annual soil analysis is performed to determine any possible deficiencies the vines may face. Their efforts to maximise the microbial life of the soil are focused upon returning life to the vineyards, enabling them to make the best possible wines, naturally. Recently, they have been experimenting with alternative farming methods, using only minerals and plant-based treatments. They have been certified organic since 2013.
Every parcel of vines is harvested and vinified separately to fully express the potential of each different plot of land. Fermentation takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel vats. In 2008, the vat room was rearranged to allow for the installation of new presses at the winery. Constant refinement of their techniques has resulted in wines that are refined and long lived that can also be enjoyed in their youth. The wines from Domaine Vrignaud are expressive, elegant, refined and simply exude all the classic characteristics that have made Chablis so sought after over the years.
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£18.50Domaine Vrignaud Chablis
Domaine VrignaudDomaine Vrignaud Chablis is a pale yellow in colour with lime tints. Ripe citrus mixes with aromas of white flowers on the nose. In the mouth, ther...
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£16.70Domaine Vrignaud Petit Chablis
Domaine VrignaudDomaine Vrignaud Petit Chablis is bright and attractive in the glass, the nose offers acacia-tinged, lively, citrus fruit and a light sea shore/iod...
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£26.95Domaine Vrignaud Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume
Domaine VrignaudThings get much more serious and intense with the Domaine Vrignaud Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume, a wine that brings together power with incisive mine...
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£18.00Domaine Vrignaud Chablis Les Champréaux
Domaine VrignaudPartial ageing in French oak informs Domaine Vrignaud's Chablis Les Champreaux, especially in the wine’s big, boisterous personality. Aromas of sto...
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£43.25Domaine Vrignaud Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot
Domaine VrignaudDomaine Vrignaud Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot has a lifted, granite and smoke-scented bouquet that reveals just a touch of peppermint. It is well def...
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£30.00Domaine Vrignaud Chablis 1er Cru Mont De Milieu
Domaine VrignaudDomaine Vrignaud Chablis 1er Cru Mont De Milieu has exotic suggestions of lime, lychee and rose that emerge from the bouquet. White peach and flora...
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