Domaine Dame Jeanne, established in 2017 by Jeanne Piollot and her partner Gennaro de Miccoli, is a 2.3-hectare micro-estate in Molesme, Châtillonnais, Côte-d’Or, Burgundy, France, ~20km from Champagne’s Aube and ~100km from Jura’s Arbois. The domaine farms organic and biodynamic Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Gamay on limestone and red marl soils, producing ~5,000–8,000 bottles annually of still and sparkling wines under the Côteaux Bourguignons appellation or Vin de France. With a sulfite-free, minimal-intervention approach inspired by Jeanne’s parents—Roland Piollot (Champagne Piollot) and Dominique Moreau (Champagne Marie Courtin)—the wines blend Champagne’s sparkling finesse with Burgundy’s still wine elegance, yielding vibrant, “gouleyant” (gluggable) expressions. The name “Dame Jeanne” is a playful nod to Jeanne herself and the traditional glass demijohns used for wine storage since the Middle Ages. Wines are exported to Europe, North America, and Australia, gaining a following for their Chablis-like clarity and natural purity.

Winemaking Philosophy

• Organic and Biodynamic Viticulture: The 2.3-hectare plot in Molesme, a single parcel, is farmed organically and biodynamically (no certification mentioned), following practices from Jeanne’s parents, pioneers of biodynamic Champagne. No herbicides, pesticides, or synthetic chemicals are used, with light tillage, Guyot training, and manual work (pruning, debudding, leaf removal). Soils are limestone with red marl, ideal for sparkling wines due to Châtillonnais’ proximity to Champagne, yet suited for still wines with Burgundian finesse. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Gamay vines, some 30+ years old, yield low outputs (~25–35 hl/ha), ensuring concentration, akin to Didon’s biodynamic methods and Meckert’s grass-covered vines.

• Natural Winemaking: Zero sulfites, no fining, no filtration, and spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts. Still wines (Alchémille Chardonnay, Pensée Sauvage Pinot Noir/Gamay, Terre de Sienne Pinot Noir) are fermented in neutral Burgundy barriques, aged 9–12 months, offering vibrant fruit (citrus, red berries) and mineral depth, evoking Chablis or Côteaux Champenois. Sparkling wines (Prémices Pinot Noir, Prémices Rosé) use the Champagne method (2 years sur lattes, no dosage) or pét-nat techniques, yielding crisp, bubbly expressions. Minimal extraction ensures “vins de soif,” contrasting Jura’s oxidative Savagnin (e.g., Plassat’s Bois Moisi) but aligning with Didon’s sulfite-free ethos and Santini’s low-sulfur blends (~15–30 mg/L).

• Terroir: Châtillonnais’ limestone and red marl soils bridge Champagne’s chalky finesse and Burgundy’s clay-limestone structure, distinct from Jura’s marly limestone (e.g., Plassat’s Trousseau) or Alsace’s volcanic sandstone (e.g., Meckert’s Riesling). Unlike Auvergne’s volcanic basalt (e.g., No Control’s Gamay), Molesme favors sparkling and crisp still wines.

Background

• Winemaker: Jeanne Piollot, daughter of Roland Piollot (Champagne Piollot) and Dominique Moreau (Champagne Marie Courtin), grew up in the Aube, Champagne, closer to Burgundy (~20km) than Reims. After studying at Beaune’s viticulture school, she worked at her parents’ biodynamic estates, mastering organic farming and natural winemaking. In 2017, with land prices in Champagne prohibitive, Jeanne and Gennaro de Miccoli purchased a 2.3ha plot in Molesme, Châtillonnais, to create Domaine Dame Jeanne. Their approach blends Champagne’s sparkling expertise (e.g., no-dosage methods) with Burgundy’s still wine clarity, guided by family practices and mentors like Cédric Bouchard, rumored to work in Molesme