Domaine d’Auvenay

Located in Saint-Romain, Domaine d'Auvenay is the home domain of the charismatic Lalou Bize-Leroy – the so-called 'Queen of Burgundy'. The wines of this most prestigious Burgundy domain – part of an elite stable of wineries managed by Bize-Leroy, also including Domaine Leroy and Maison Leroy – are among the most sought-after in the world.

What makes them so sought-after, apart from their unusual intensity and terroir-transparency, is their rarity – a consequence of extremely low grape yields. Domaine d’Auvenay accounts for just under 4ha of highly fragmented vineyard parcels spread over 16 appellations. The entire domain has been managed biodynamically since 1988. Strict yield control dictates that overall production is miniscule. What Domaine d’Auvenay lacks in volume, however, it more than makes up for in quality.

While the domain does produce red wines, whites are the principal focus. The original vineyard holdings are in Meursault and Auxey-Duresses, to which Bize-Leroy has added plots in the Meursault Premier Cru of Gouttes d’Or, the Puligny-Montrachet lieu-dit of Les Enseignières, the Puligny Premier Cru of Les Folatières, and, rarest and most sought-after of all, the Grands Crus of Bâtard-Montrachet, Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, Bonnes-Mares and Mazis-Chambertin. Look out, also, for the Aligoté ‘Sous Chatelet’ – a peerless example of this often maligned grape variety.