Domaine des Perdrix wasn't always a famous name in Burgundy. For years, the estate was owned by the Bouhey family, well-regarded négociants who sold most of the domaine's wines in bulk to other merchants. This meant the name "Des Perdrix" remained largely unknown to wine lovers, hiding the true potential of its exceptional vineyards.
That all changed in 1996. The Devillard family, who had already built their reputation over generations at Château de Chamirey in Mercurey, recognized a promising opportunity. They strategically purchased Domaine des Perdrix from the Bouhey family. This acquisition was a major step for the Devillards, establishing themselves in the Côte de Nuits. As the critic Robert Parker noted at the time, it proved there were still hidden treasures to be found in Burgundy's most celebrated vineyards.
Who Are the Devillards?
The family's own roots were not in viticulture but in industry; prior to their marriage into the de Jouennes d'Herville family, the owners of Château de Chamirey were successful textile industrialists from the Saône-et-Loire region. Their business sense, combined with a passion for wine inherited through marriage, provided the foundation for expanding the portfolio. Domaine des Perdrix was their first major acquisition outside of the family's historic estate, marking the beginning of their modern portfolio of wineries.
A Treasury of Prestigious Vineyards
The acquisition include their flagship monopole, the Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru "Aux Perdrix," a vineyard they own almost exclusively. The estate also owns a parcel of Echézeaux-du Dessus Grand Cru, holdings in the famous village of Vosne-Romanée, and other Premier Crus in Nuits-Saint-Georges, such as "Les Argillières" and "Les Corvées Pagets."
The Aux Perdrix "Quasi-monopole"
The most important wine at Domaine des Perdrix is their Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru "Aux Perdrix." This is a "quasi monopole," meaning the vineyard is almost owned entirely by them, a rare thing in Burgundy that lets them control every step of the process from vine to bottle.
This special vineyard is about 1.5 hectares in size. It sits in the village of Premeaux in southern Nuits-Saint-Georges with a east-southeast exposure. The soil is limestone and clay, perfect for growing high-quality Pinot Noir. The vines here are mature, averaging around 40 years old, which helps give the wine its depth and concentration. It is surrounded by the renowned Premier Cru 'Clos des Argillières' to the south, with 'Les Forêts' to the north and 'Les Corvées' to the east.
Within this monopole, there is an even more exclusive part: a tiny parcel of very old vines. From these, they produce an ultra-premium cuvée called "Aux Perdrix 8 Ouvrées." An "ouvrée" is a traditional Burgundian measurement for a vineyard plot (one ouvrée is roughly 428 square meters). This wine, made in extremely limited quantities, comes from just eight of these small plots, representing the oldest vines in the vineyard. It offers a more powerful and complex expression of the Aux Perdrix terroir.
Vineyard Management and Winemaking Philosophy
In the vineyards, Domaine des Perdrix is committed to sustainable viticulture. They practice "Lutte Raisonnée," which means they intervene as little as possible, using treatments only when absolutely necessary to protect the vines. They prioritize low yields through severe debudding and green harvesting, with all grapes harvested by hand.
In the cellar several cuvees are fermented with whole-cluster to add complexity and structure. The grapes undergo a rigorous sorting an a pre-fermentation maceration. Aging takes place primarily in French oak barrels, with a portion replaced each year to ensure the wines retain their vibrant fruit and floral notes when bottled.
This focused work has completely changed Domaine des Perdrix. From a little-known estate, it has become a well-respected producer, often getting high scores from wine critics. Its Pinot Noirs are now known for showing the true character of great Burgundy land. Domaine des Perdrix shows the careful work and dedication needed to make outstanding Pinot Noir in Burgundy.
