Caroline & Thibaut Pariset – Vignerons, Domaine de L’Aubraine

Caroline and Thibaut Pariset founded Domaine de L’Aubraine in 2019 in the village of Saint-Gengoux-de-Scissé, in the northern Mâconnais of Burgundy. From the beginning, their ambition has been to show that viticulture in true harmony with nature can produce wines of exceptional clarity and terroir expression.

Background & Founding

Before creating their own domaine, Caroline and Thibaut worked extensively in vineyards and cellars, gaining hands-on experience in traditional viticulture, horse-powered field work and small-scale production methods. Their desire to work at a human scale, with complete responsibility from vineyard to bottle, ultimately led them to establish their own estate. They currently farm just under four hectares of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, enabling them to give meticulous attention to every parcel.

Viticulture & Vineyard Philosophy

Domaine de L’Aubraine is certified organic and guided by biodynamic principles. The soils are worked with Comtois draft horses, preserving soil structure while avoiding heavy machinery. The couple places great importance on biodiversity, living soils and vineyard vitality. Synthetic herbicides and pesticides are avoided; instead, the vines are supported through mechanical cultivation, natural preparations and careful observation of seasonal rhythms. Their approach reflects a deep belief that wine quality begins with healthy, expressive vineyards.

Winery & Cellar Techniques

In the cellar, Caroline and Thibaut practice minimal-intervention winemaking aimed at transparency rather than manipulation. Grapes are harvested by hand at optimal maturity, then pressed gently to preserve purity. Fermentations occur with indigenous yeasts, and malolactic conversion proceeds naturally. The wines age on fine lees in stainless steel, old oak barrels or demi-muids depending on the cuvée, contributing texture and depth without overt oak influence. The wines are neither fined nor filtered, and sulphur is used sparingly, only when necessary to ensure stability.

Terroir Focus & Wine Style

The northern Mâconnais terroir defines the style of Domaine de L’Aubraine’s wines: fresh, vibrant, and precise. Chardonnay expresses itself through tension and minerality, while Pinot Noir shows finesse and purity of fruit. The domaine’s overarching aim is to allow the vineyard and the vintage to speak clearly, with as little interference as possible.

Philosophy

Caroline and Thibaut’s work embodies a philosophy of respect — for the land, for the vines and for the natural processes that guide each vintage. Their domaine stands as a testament to the potential of small-scale, high-attention viticulture to produce wines of honesty, elegance and unmistakable terroir identity.