Michel Lafarge

History of the Michel Lafarge Estate

Founded in the 19th century, the Michel Lafarge estate has its roots in a family winemaking tradition passed down through generations. The story begins with the Gillotte family, who acquired the Clos du Château des Ducs in 1900. This monopole, still cultivated by the family, quickly became a symbol of winemaking excellence in Volnay.

Henri Lafarge, from the 1930s onwards, revolutionised the practices of the time by bottling his own wines, an innovation in an era when bulk sales were the norm. Michel Lafarge, his son, joined the estate in 1949 and helped elevate it to one of the most respected in the region. Today, Frédéric Lafarge, Michel's son, and his daughter Clothilde perpetuate this heritage while bringing a modern and ecological vision, notably with the conversion to biodynamics in 2000.

Terroirs and Vineyards of the Michel Lafarge Estate

The Michel Lafarge estate spans approximately 12 hectares, primarily distributed across the prestigious appellations of Volnay and Beaune. The estate's emblem is undoubtedly its exceptional Volnay terroir, where one finds the famous premier crus such as Clos du Château des Ducs, Clos des Chênes, and Les Caillerets. These plots are situated on clay-limestone soil that imparts minerality and finesse typical of the region to the wines.

The estate is also known for its biodynamic cultivation, certified since 2000. Biodynamics, practised with care and discretion, allows the vines to flourish in symbiosis with their environment. Yields are deliberately limited to ensure maximum fruit concentration. Moreover, vineyard management is extremely meticulous: the vines, with an average age of 50 years, are harvested by hand, and ecological resources, such as the use of chickens to eliminate parasites and horses for ploughing, are implemented to respect the natural balance.

Vinification at the Michel Lafarge Estate

The vinification process at the Michel Lafarge Estate is a model of respect for Burgundian traditions. All grapes are destemmed before fermentation, and indigenous yeasts are used to initiate the fermentation process. The house favours a minimalist approach to allow the terroir to fully express itself in each bottle.

The red wines, particularly the Volnay Premier Cru and Beaune Grèves, are vinified in wooden barrels with minimal intervention, allowing the tannins to refine slowly and the aromas to develop over time. The estate uses very little new oak (generally 15 to 20% maximum depending on the vintage) to preserve the purity of the fruit and the authenticity of the terroirs.

The white wines, such as the Beaune Aigrots and Meursault, are pressed as whole bunches before fermenting either in stainless steel tanks or in barrels, depending on the characteristics of the vintage. These wines benefit from careful ageing that preserves their freshness while imparting a beautiful aromatic complexity.

The Cuvées of the Michel Lafarge Estate

The Michel Lafarge Estate offers a varied range of wines, renowned for their great finesse and ability to age admirably. Among the flagship cuvées are :

Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Château des Ducs Monopole: This wine, from a unique terroir, offers great depth and a perfect balance between fruit, acidity, and tannins. Best enjoyed after about ten years in the cellar to reveal its full potential.

Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes: The estate's crown jewel, this wine impresses with its powerful structure and longevity. Endowed with firm tannins and a beautiful density, it is destined for prolonged ageing and reveals all its splendour after 15 years.

Beaune 1er Cru Grèves: The old vines of this plot produce a wine with a silky texture, aromas of ripe red fruits, and a beautiful mineral tension. This wine offers a perfect balance between elegance and power.

Raisins Dorés: The estate's Aligoté, dense and fruity, is distinguished by its fleshy envelope and smoothness on the palate. It's a wine that surprises with its richness and complexity, rare for this grape variety.

Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets

Volnay 1er Cru Mitans

Volnay 1er Cru Chanlins

Beaune 1er Cru Pézerolles

Beaune 1er Cru Les Aigrots

Côte de Beaune Villages

Beaune 1er Cru Les Aigrots Blanc

Meursault

Passetoutgrains

These cuvées reflect the diversity and richness of the Michel Lafarge Estate's terroir, with prestigious red wines mainly from Volnay, and whites from Beaune and Meursault.

The Michel Lafarge estate produces wines built for ageing, and certain vintages stand out particularly for their exceptional quality: 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2005, 1999...

For those wishing to broaden their horizons beyond the Michel Lafarge estate, the estates of Comtes Lafon, Marquis d'Angerville, de Montille, and Leroy also offer red wines of great finesse.

The Michel Lafarge estate embodies the best that Burgundy has to offer: wines of rare elegance and complexity, absolute respect for terroir and nature, and the ability to produce vintages that gracefully withstand the test of time. For lovers of great wines for ageing, the estate's cuvées are a safe investment, promising unparalleled gustatory emotions after a few years of patience. Whether you are a Volnay enthusiast or discovering the richness of the Côte de Beaune, the wines of the Michel Lafarge estate are sure to captivate you. Discover also our organic and biodynamic fine wines.