François Carillon - The Art of Chardonnay
The François Carillon Domaine, established in 2010, is the continuation of a family wine business that dates back to the 16th century in Puligny-Montrachet. The Carillon family has been cultivating vines in this region for nearly 500 years, with historical records mentioning Jean Carillon as early as 1520. Despite challenges like the phylloxera crisis in the late 19th century, the family has remained dedicated to viticulture, replanting the estate after World War I and focusing on Chardonnay cultivation since the 1960s under Louis Carillon.
François Carillon, who began working in the family vineyards in 1988, is currently in charge of the domaine. He took over the estate in 2010 after it was divided between him and his brother Jacques. François is supported by a dynamic team and continues to enhance the quality and elegance of the wines produced.
Vineyard Holdings
Today, the estate farms 16 hectares across Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, and Saint-Aubin. The vineyard is predominantly planted with Chardonnay, with smaller plots dedicated to Pinot Noir and Aligoté. The estate produces around 17 different appellations, including 9 Premiers Crus, 5 village wines, and 4 regional wines.
Viticulture
The domaine is committed to environmentally friendly and precise vine-growing practices. Since 1992, the estate has avoided the use of weed-killers, opting instead for plowing by tractor or horse. The vineyard density is approximately 10,000 vines per hectare, and natural-origin products are used only when necessary. Vine shoots are processed into compost and spread in the vineyards, enriching the soil naturally. Manual pruning and controlled yields through disbudding and green harvesting ensure the quality of the grapes, which are harvested by hand.
Winemaking
Grapes are harvested manually, typically in early September. The Chardonnay is gently pressed with whole clusters in pneumatic presses. After that the musts undergo alcoholic and malolactic fermentations in oak barrels, with 10-15% new oak. The wines mature on lees for about twelve months, with occasional stirring, followed by six months in stainless steel vats to maintain freshness. Bottling occurs during lunar periods, with careful attention to corking to ensure impeccable aging. The estate uses high-quality corks for its Premiers Crus and village appellations, while Ardea Seal stoppers are used for regional wines.
Continuity
François Carillon's wines are celebrated for their finesse, elegance, and balance, earning a place in some of the world's best restaurants and praise from wine experts and enthusiasts. Supported by a dedicated team, François continues to enhance the quality of his wines, passing on his knowledge and passion to his four children, who represent the future of the domaine.