Location and History
The Domaine Paul Pillot is located in Chassagne-Montrachet on the Côte de Beaune in the Burgundy, France. Its origins date back to 1968, when Paul Pillot took over the family estate from his father Henri.
Family Business and Vineyards
Today, Thierry Pillot and Chrystelle Pillot-Mortet run the winery. Thierry Pillot is responsible for the work in the cellar, while Chrystelle is mainly active in the vineyard. The estate cultivates around 13 hectares in Chassagne-Montrachet, Saint-Aubin and Santenay.
About nine hectares are planted with white grape varieties and four hectares with red grape varieties. The red vines are entirely Pinot noir; among the white varieties, around 90 percent are Chardonnay and 10 percent Aligoté. In Chassagne-Montrachet, limestone and clay soils predominate in the vineyards.
Cultivation and Cellar Work
The harvest is carried out by hand; grapes are not purchased in. The Domaine works according to the principles of organic farming, but does not aim for organic certification.
For the white wines, the grapes are pressed for a long time; clarification and bâtonnage are omitted, and sulphur is used only in minimal quantities. The ageing takes place with at most about ten percent new oak and lasts longer than in earlier times.
Wines
The Domaine produces both white and red wines; around two thirds of the vineyard area is planted with white varieties. The wines are made, among other things, under the appellations Chassagne-Montrachet and Saint-Aubin.
