Domaine Bernard Michaut

Domaine de la Motte – Family excellence and exceptional terroir in the heart of Chablis

Domain name

Domaine de la Motte

Wine region

Burgundy – Chablis

Philosophy and History

The story of Domaine de la Motte began in the 1960s with Henri Michaut, who cultivated 2 hectares in the heart of the Chablis vineyards while also managing a traditional farm combining vines and livestock. His sons Jean, Bernard, and Christian gradually joined him in the following decades, along with collaborators such as Claude Robin and later Guillaume Michaut. From the 1990s onward, the family developed on-site winemaking and bottling, gradually leaving the "La Chablisienne" cooperative. Since 2010, Adrien Michaut, Bernard's son, has been at the helm of the estate, which now covers 53 hectares and produces approximately 350,000 bottles annually, the fruit of rigorous and passionate family work.

Appellations and terroirs

Domaine de la Motte cultivates remarkable terroirs in the commune of Beine, near Chablis. The vineyard covers 53 hectares, including prestigious Premier Cru vineyards such as Beauroy and Vauligneau, as well as Chablis, Petit Chablis, and Chablis Village appellations. The soils are characterized primarily by two types: Portlandian, shallower and marly, producing fruitier and lighter wines associated with Petit Chablis; and Kimmeridgian, compact and fossiliferous limestone, typical of the region, which brings minerality, finesse, and complexity to the Chablis wines. The vineyard is planted on south/southeast and southwest-facing slopes, at an average altitude of 150 meters, benefiting from a rigorous semi-continental climate with cold winters, hot summers, and a controlled risk of spring frosts thanks to an innovative sprinkler system using water from the artificial lake of Beine.

Iconic grape varieties

The estate works exclusively with the Chardonnay grape, the only variety permitted in the Chablis appellation. Here, this grape expresses a fresh acidity, a saline minerality, and an elegance that characterize the dry white wines of the region. The estate also produces a few wines from the Aligoté, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc grapes in the complementary appellations.

Production specifics

The estate relies on family expertise and modern equipment: a winery with 74 temperature-controlled tanks and 116 carefully selected oak barrels for aging. Winemaking adheres to Burgundian tradition, with aging in barrels or tanks on fine lees for 6 to 11 months, depending on the cuvée. Gentle and rapid pressing after harvesting preserves the freshness and purity of the grapes. Vacuum bottling ensures optimal preservation of the wines without oxidation. A team of a dozen people in the vineyards and winery specialists works daily to ensure quality, employing manual and mechanical processes tailored to each stage.

Environmental commitment

Domaine de la Motte is committed to sustainable viticulture, certified High Environmental Value (HVE) level 3, reflecting a deep respect for the soil and biodiversity. Practices include tilling the soil, maintaining plant cover, minimal use of treatments, and innovative frost protection through an artificial lake and a water sprinkler system, ensuring the vineyard's protection against adverse weather conditions.

Why choose a wine from Domaine de la Motte?

• A family farm with over 60 years of experience and evolution
• An exceptional terroir in the commune of Beine, in the heart of the Chablis vineyards
• A complete range, from Petit Chablis to renowned Premier Cru wines.
• A strong commitment to sustainable agriculture and environmental quality
• Modern technical expertise combined with traditional know-how
• Fine, fresh, mineral and elegant wines, representative of Burgundian Chardonnay

Discover the richness and finesse of the wines from Domaine de la Motte , a reflection of a unique terroir and a passionate family history, through a range that appeals to amateurs and connoisseurs.