DOMAINE FRANÇOIS RAVENEAU

The story of Domaine François Raveneau began in 1948 following the joining of two of Chablis’ greatest wine-making families: Raveneau and Dauvissat. François Raveneau consolidated his holdings with his wife’s family parcels, and further expanded the estate during the 1960s. Today there are around 8 hectares in total; located almost entirely in Premier Cru and Grand Cru Chablis sites, which include Butteaux, Montée de Tonnerre, Vaillons, Fôret, Monts Mains, Blanchots, Valmur and Les Clos. He has installed a strict work ethic which was passed on to his sons Bernard and Jean-Marie, and which is today followed by his grand-daughter Isabelle. Harvest is carried out entirely by hand, followed by meticulous work in the winery, and an oak ageing period of 18 months. The rich clay and chalky Kimmeridgian Limestone soils give the wines a vibrant minerality and waxy, honeyed fruit character. In the 1970s, US importer Kermit Lynch became the first to import these legendary wines, which remain the most sought-after and celebrated in Chablis today.