Domaine Berthenet

Domaine Berthenet – Montagny heritage, elegance in a bottle

Domain name

Domaine Berthenet

Wine region

Côte Chalonnaise

Appellations and terroirs

Domaine Berthenet is located in Montagny-lès-Buxy, in the southern Côte Chalonnaise, in the heart of the Buxy hills. The Montagny appellation encompasses four villages – Montagny-lès-Buxy, Buxy, Saint-Vallerin, and Jully-lès-Buxy – and rests on marl-limestone and clay-limestone soils dating from the Jurassic Lias and Triassic periods. The vineyards are nestled between 250 and 400 meters above sea level, on east- and southeast-facing slopes. This amphitheater-like topography, combined with a semi-continental climate, allows for optimal grape ripeness while preserving remarkable freshness. Montagny boasts 49 Premier Cru vineyards, including "Les Perrières," "Mont-Cuchot," "Saint Morille," and "Les Bonneveaux," true ambassadors of the appellation.

Emblematic grape varieties

Chardonnay, Aligoté

Philosophy and History

The Berthenet family has been cultivating vines in Montagny since the ^16th century. In 1991, Jean-Pierre Berthenet took over the family estate, then in 2002 decided to leave the cooperative winery to produce his own wines, becoming one of the first independent winemakers in the appellation. He was joined by his son François in 2009. Together, they have built a benchmark estate, deeply rooted in its terroir and driven by a constant desire to improve. François Berthenet was named "Winemaker of the Year" by the Hachette Wine Guide in 2020, following an impressive series of awards recognizing his wines.

Production specifics

The estate covers 20 hectares, 19 of which are planted exclusively with Chardonnay and Aligoté grapes. The vines, averaging 35 years old, come from massal selections developed in the estate's nursery. Vineyard management is based on sustainable and responsible viticulture: natural ground cover, soil cultivation, limited treatments, and respect for biodiversity. Harvesting is done by hand or machine depending on the plot, with rigorous sorting at the winery. The grapes are pressed whole in pneumatic presses, using a long cycle to gently extract the juice. Alcoholic fermentation occurs naturally, with indigenous yeasts, in stainless steel tanks or barrels depending on the cuvée. Aging lasts between 10 and 20 months, without new oak to preserve the purity of the fruit.

The iconic vintages

The estate produces a precise and diverse range of Montagny Premier Cru wines. Montagny Premier Cru Les Perrières , aged entirely in oak barrels (without new wood), expresses remarkable freshness and a unique minerality stemming from a terroir rich in fossils. Montagny Premier Cru Mont-Cuchot is distinguished by its citrus aromas, salinity, and finesse. Premier Cru Saint Morille combines dense texture, tension, and vibrant fruit. Montagny Vieilles Vignes blends grapefruit, lime, and oak aging for a generous and rounded white wine. Alongside these crus, the Tête de Cuvée , Les Macles , Les Platières , and Symphonie cuvées illustrate the full complexity and diversity of Montagny's terroirs.

Recognitions

The estate has received eight "coup de cœur" awards from the Hachette Wine Guide in just a few years. François Berthenet was named "Winemaker of the Year" in 2020. The 2025 Green Guide from La Revue du Vin de France highlights the precision and consistency of the estate's wines, which it describes as "frank, expressive, and highly reliable." These accolades confirm Domaine Berthenet's leading role in promoting the great white wines of the Côte Chalonnaise.

Driven by a constant quest for perfection, the estate seeks to reveal the quintessence of its terroirs through each vintage. The precision of the work in the vineyard, the care taken in the winemaking process, the thoughtful approach to aging, and the respect for the grape variety make Domaine Berthenet wines true expressions of purity and balance.

Why choose a wine from Domaine Jean-Pierre Berthenet?

• A know-how passed down since the 16th ^century
• A strong commitment to sustainable viticulture
• A remarkable range of expressive Premier Cru wines
• Precise and natural winemaking
• Wines regularly awarded by specialist guides

Discover the selection of wines from Domaine Jean-Pierre Berthenet and let yourself be seduced by their crystalline freshness, their mineral intensity and their great aromatic elegance.