Domaine Chandon de Briailles

Domaine Chandon de Briailles was established in 1834. It has remained under the ownership of the same family since its founding and is currently operated by the Count Aymard-Claude de Nicolay family. The name originates from the grandmother of the current owners, the Countess Chandon de Briailles. Since 1991, Claude de Nicolay has overseen the winemaking after returning from studies in Beaune and Oregon. Her brother, François de Nicolay, joined the estate in 2001 to lead the vineyard management and commercial operations. The domaine is based in a 17th century manor house located in the village of Savigny-lès-Beaune.

The domaine manages 13.7 hectares of vineyard land across the communes of Savigny-lès-Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses, and Aloxe-Corton. The estate transitioned to organic farming in 2005 and received biodynamic certification from Ecocert and Demeter in 2011. The winemaking philosophy emphasizes the use of whole-grape clusters during fermentation, which often comprises the entirety of the red wine fermentations. The wines are aged in neutral French oak barrels with very little to no new oak used, intended to prevent wood tannins or aromas from overpowering the fruit. This approach results in wines that focus on clarity and structure rather than density or extraction.

The estate is best known for its three Grand Cru wines from the Hill of Corton, which are Corton-Charlemagne, Corton Bressandes, and Corton Clos du Roi. It also produces several Premier Cru wines, including Pernand-Vergelesses Aux Vergelesses and Savigny-lès-Beaune Aux Fournaux. The house style is defined by high acidity and a lighter color profile compared to many other modern Burgundy producers. These wines are recognized for their ability to develop complexity over decades of bottle aging. The estate is frequently cited as a reference point for traditional viticulture and non-interventionalist winemaking in the northern Côte de Beaune.