Generations of Meursault Expertise
The Bouzereau family has been rooted in Meursault for seven generations. Since 1999, Jean-Baptiste Bouzereau has directed the domaine, overseeing approximately 10.5 hectares of vineyards in Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Beaune, Volnay, and Pommard. While the estate is best known for Chardonnay, its Pinot Noirs are increasingly admired for their finesse.
Farming Practices
Viticulture is carried out with great respect for the land. Old vines, some planted in the 1950s, are preserved and nurtured. The domaine avoids chemical fertilizers, hand-harvests its fruit, and has been moving progressively toward full organic farming. These methods ensure balanced vines and healthy fruit.
Winemaking Philosophy
Jean-Baptiste favors restraint in the cellar. Chardonnay grapes are gently pressed and fermented in French oak, with new oak limited to around 15 to 20 percent. Wines are aged on their lees for additional texture without heaviness. Pinot Noir is handled with equal care, focusing on clarity of fruit and supple tannins.
Wine Style and Reputation
The domaine’s Chardonnays are precise, mineral-driven, and layered with citrus and orchard fruit notes accented by subtle spice. Pinot Noir is supple, red-fruited, and elegant. Critics often describe Bouzereau’s wines as combining Meursault’s richness with a precision reminiscent of Chablis, making them a dependable and respected source of Côte de Beaune Burgundy.
Domaine Michel Bouzereau et Fils: Meursault Tradition and Terroir
Generations in Meursault
For seven generations, the Bouzereau family has been farming vines in the heart of Meursault, one of Burgundy’s most celebrated appellations for white wine. Today the domaine is led by Jean-Baptiste Bouzereau, who took over from his father Michel in 1999. Under his stewardship, the domaine has earned a reputation for crafting Chardonnay of clarity, precision, and terroir focus — wines that embody both family tradition and modern finesse.
Vineyards in the Côte de Beaune
The estate’s vineyards stretch across some of the Côte de Beaune’s most prized appellations: Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Volnay, Pommard, and Beaune. The majority of holdings are in Meursault, where the limestone- and clay-rich soils yield Chardonnay with both power and minerality. Old vines, some more than 50 years in age, provide depth and concentration, while careful vineyard management ensures balance and vitality in every harvest.
A Philosophy of Respectful Farming
While not formally certified organic, the domaine practices sustainable, artisanal viticulture with a strong emphasis on soil health and biodiversity. Vineyard work is done by hand, yields are kept low, and treatments are minimal, reflecting the family’s philosophy that great wines are grown, not manufactured. This respect for the land ensures wines that are authentic, expressive, and true to their terroir.
Winemaking: Purity and Balance
In the cellar, Jean-Baptiste Bouzereau works with a light touch. Grapes are hand-harvested, fermentations are spontaneous when possible, and élevage takes place in French oak barrels — with new oak used sparingly to frame rather than dominate. The whites, particularly Meursault 1er Cru bottlings like Les Perrières and Les Genevrières, show tension, citrus, stone fruit, and a chalky minerality that reflects their origins. The domaine also produces elegant reds from Volnay and Pommard, marked by bright fruit, fine tannins, and subtle spice.
Wines of Elegance and Longevity
The hallmark of Bouzereau wines is their ability to balance richness with freshness. In youth, they are approachable, with energy and clarity, but with time they evolve complexity, depth, and texture. This combination makes them favorites among collectors and sommeliers alike — quintessential examples of fine white Burgundy.
Why Domaine Bouzereau Matters Today
Domaine Michel Bouzereau et Fils stands as one of Meursault’s most respected family producers, carrying forward centuries of Burgundian tradition while embracing modern precision and sustainability. Their wines capture the artisanal character of Burgundy: authentic, terroir-driven, and elegant. For those seeking Chardonnay that expresses both the depth of Meursault and the soul of a family estate, Bouzereau et Fils remains an essential name.