Jean Paul Droin

History of the Domaine Jean-Paul Droin

The history of the Domaine Jean-Paul Droin is intimately linked to that of Chablis and Burgundy viticulture. The first family member, Jehan Droin, is mentioned in 1547, already cultivating vines in this region. Since then, generations of Droins have succeeded one another, each marking their era through their involvement in the protection and promotion of Chablis wines.

In 1923, Louis Droin, the great-grandfather of the current owner, was elected president of the Union of Chablis Wine Growers, an institution that would later become the Chablis Appellation Defence Union. This role demonstrates the Droin family's commitment to preserving the authenticity of the region's wines, fighting against fraud and guaranteeing the origin of the wines.

Jean-Paul Droin took over the reins of the estate in 1983, gradually modernising practices while maintaining the family heritage. He was joined by his son Benoît in 1999, who graduated in oenology from the University of Dijon, bringing with him an innovative vision focused on precision and the expression of terroirs. In 2014, Benoît took full responsibility for the estate, and continues today to lead the vineyard to new heights while honouring family traditions.

Terroirs and Vines of the Domaine Jean-Paul Droin

The Domaine Jean-Paul Droin benefits from an exceptional position in the heart of Chablis, with a vineyard of 26 hectares composed of plots meticulously acquired over generations. This estate is spread across several prestigious appellations, including Grand Crus and Premier Crus, allowing for the production of a varied range of wines that faithfully reflect the diversity of Chablis terroirs.

The Chablis terroir is essentially composed of Kimmeridgian soils, a geological formation dating from the Jurassic period, rich in marl and marine fossils. This soil gives Chablis wines unparalleled minerality and purity, with saline notes and unique oyster shell aromas. The plots of the Domaine Jean-Paul Droin, situated on well-exposed slopes, take full advantage of this exceptional terroir.

The vines, averaging 45 years in age, are cultivated according to the principles of sustainable viticulture. This environmentally respectful approach favours the natural balance of soils and vine health, with minimal use of chemical treatments. Harvesting is done by hand or machine depending on the age and accessibility of the plots, thus ensuring optimal harvest for each cuvée.

Vinification at the Domaine Jean-Paul Droin

Vinification at the Domaine Jean-Paul Droin is based on a subtle balance between tradition and modernity. From the 1980s, Jean-Paul Droin reintroduced the use of oak barrels for certain cuvées, to bring more complexity and depth to the wines. However, the proportion of new wood remains measured to preserve the freshness and purity of aromas, characteristic of Chablis wines.

The grapes are carefully pressed using pneumatic presses, a gentle process that preserves the quality of the juice. Fermentation is done with indigenous yeasts, without external addition, in stainless steel tanks or barrels depending on the desired profile for each wine. The Droins also ensure enzymatic settling and practice light fining and filtration before bottling, thus ensuring perfect clarity without altering the wine's structure.

The Cuvées of the Domaine Jean-Paul Droin

The Domaine Jean-Paul Droin offers a complete range of Chablis, from the emblematic wines of the appellation to the Premier Cru and Grand Cru cuvées, which are among the most prestigious in Burgundy:

Petit Chablis

Chablis

Chablis 1er Cru Côte de Léchet, Montmains, Mont de Milieu, Montée de Tonnerre, Fourchaume, Vaillons, Vaulorent, Vaucoupin, Vosgros

Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot, Grenouilles, Hommage à Louis, Les Clos, Valmur, Vaudésir

Each cuvée is carefully crafted, respecting the particularities of each plot, to allow the terroir to fully express itself. Benoît Droin, with his constant pursuit of mineral precision, refines each step of the process to produce wines that age gracefully and reveal their full complexity over the years.

The wines of the Domaine Jean-Paul Droin are renowned for their longevity and their ability to evolve admirably in the bottle. Here are some recent and older vintages to discover for lovers of great white Burgundy wines: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

These vintages, sometimes solar, sometimes marked by great tension, demonstrate the ability of Domaine Jean-Paul Droin wines to adapt to climatic conditions while maintaining their own identity.

If you appreciate the wines of the Domaine Jean-Paul Droin, we also recommend discovering wines from other prestigious Chablis estates, such as Domaine Dauvissat, or Domaine Raveneau.

The Domaine Jean-Paul Droin is undoubtedly an essential reference for lovers of Chablis and great white wines. The richness of its terroirs, combined with expertise passed down for centuries, allows for the production of wines of exceptional quality, which accurately reflect the diversity and beauty of Chablis.