Domaine Didon is a micro-estate in Chassey-le-Camp, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, France, established by Naïma and David Didon in 2017. The couple farms ~2 hectares of biodynamic vineyards (Demeter-certified since 2017) on the “Les Vignes Blanches” parcel, producing ~5,000–7,000 bottles annually of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Aligoté, and Pinot Blanc, labeled as Bourgogne, Bourgogne Aligoté, or Vin de France (for négoce wines). Their sulfite-free, minimal-intervention approach—spontaneous fermentation, whole-cluster vinification, no fining or filtration—yields vibrant, fruit-driven wines with intense freshness. David, a former vineyard manager at Domaine de Montille (Volnay), and Naïma, an accountant at a winery, draw inspiration from natural wine pioneers like Julien Altaber and Dominique Derain (Saint-Aubin). Their wines, exported to the US, Japan, and Europe, have gained a cult following for their purity and energy, akin to Chapuis and Durieux.

Winemaking Philosophy

• Biodynamic Viticulture: The Didons farm 2 hectares of “Les Vignes Blanches,” a steep, southeast-facing slope with white clay-limestone soils, planted with massale selections of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Aligoté (vines from 1947–1960). Certified biodynamic (Demeter, 2017), they use preparations like 500P (horn manure) and 501 (horn silica), plus herbal tisanes, avoiding synthetic inputs. The isolated parcel, surrounded by forests, minimizes chemical drift from neighbors, ensuring purity. Manual harvests and low yields (~25–30 hl/ha) produce concentrated grapes. David’s experience converting Domaine de Montille to biodynamics informs their meticulous vineyard work.

• Natural Winemaking: Zero sulfites, no fining, no filtration, and spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts. Reds (Bourgogne Rouge, Cuvée Longue) use whole-cluster maceration (2–4 weeks), aged 12–18 months in used barrels or fiberglass “lying eggs” (horizontal tanks from CFMP in Mâcon, chosen for lightweight and homeopathic trials in 2017). Whites (Bourgogne Blanc, Bourgogne Aligoté, À Bulles Perdues pét-nat) are pressed slowly and aged in tanks or used barrels, yielding crisp, floral profiles. Négoce wines (e.g., Pinot Noir 2021) use Burgundy-sourced grapes due to low 2021 yields. Wines are vibrant, with raspberry, white flower, and mineral notes, and low alcohol (11–12%).

• Terroir: Côte Chalonnaise’s white clay-limestone soils, distinct from Jura’s marly limestone (e.g., Plassat’s Trousseau) or Auvergne’s volcanic basalt (e.g., No Control’s Gamay), yield fresh, mineral-driven wines. The steep, southeast-facing slope ensures optimal ripeness, unlike Jura’s cooler, marly terroirs.

1. Background

• Winemakers: David Didon, born in Strasbourg, studied nature protection (BTS, South of France) and organic/biodynamic agriculture at Beaujeu’s Ecole d’Agrobiologie. He worked at Domaine Michel Goujot (Côtes de Toul, 3.5 hectares, plus 500 fruit trees) and, from 2002–2022, as vineyard manager at Domaine de Montille (Volnay), overseeing its biodynamic conversion. Naïma, an accountant at a winery, met David in Beaune, sparking their joint venture. Inspired by Julien Altaber and Dominique Derain’s natural wines, they acquired “Les Vignes Blanches” in 2017, launching Domaine Didon.