Laure and Virgile Lignier: Shaping the Future of Domaine Lignier-Michelot
Domaine Lignier-Michelot is a family-own estate located in Morey-Saint-Denis in Burgundy. The estate spans 12.5 hectares and includes parcels in some of the most celebrated villages, such as Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, and Nuits-Saint-Georges.
Generational Changes
The origins of Domaine Lignier-Michelot trace back to the 1880s when Jacques Lignier established the original estate. His son, Jules, expanded the holdings to 2.5 hectares in the 1920s. Jules' three sons, Georges, Maurice, and Henri, each carved their own paths in the wine world. While Georges' son founded Domaine Georges Lignier, Maurice's lineage gave rise to Domaine Lignier-Michelot.
Until 1988, the domaine sold all its wine in bulk to négociants. Recognizing his father Maurice's winemaking talent, Virgile convinced him to begin bottling a portion of their production in 1992. This practice gradually increased until the entire output was bottled in-house by 2000.
Virgile Lignier assumed the reins of the domaine in 2000, with Maurice fully retiring two years later. After taking over from Maurice, Virgile implemented changes that reflected his own philosophy, particularly in vineyard management. Organic practices, including green pruning and herbicide-free cultivation, were adopted.
Additionally, he introduced modifications in the winery, such as installing a sorting table for grapes and increasing the use of new barrels during aging.
Vinification: Balancing Tradition and Precision
Virgile describes his winemaking approach as traditional. The grapes are typically destemmed, followed by a brief, cool maceration of about five days before spontaneous fermentation begins. The fermentation process usually spans around 20 days. Virgile tailors the punch-down regimen for each cuvée based on extensive tasting.
The proportion of new oak barrels never exceeds 30%, and meticulous attention is given to the selection of coopers and the proper drying of the wood. The majority of barrels are sourced from François Frères, featuring medium-toasted Allier oak with a small proportion of Vosges oak.
Due to limited cellar space (130 barrels), aging is restricted to 12 to 16 months. Following this period, the wines are blended in stainless steel tanks for four months.
The wines
Domaine Lignier-Michelot stands out for its commitment to producing wines that are both complex and approachable. The focus on organic viticulture, careful selection of oak, and precise vinification techniques result in wines that are characterized by their vibrant freshness and smooth texture. These attributes make the wines of Domaine Lignier-Michelot highly desirable for both collectors and casual wine enthusiasts.