Domaine Lafarge

Domaine Lafarge-Vial was founded in 2014 by Frédéric Lafarge and his wife Chantal Lafarge (née Vial) as an extension of the Lafarge family’s winemaking legacy into the granitic hills of Beaujolais. While the Lafarge name is deeply rooted in Volnay and the Côte d’Or, this project represents their own independent creation, guided by a desire to explore Gamay through the same precision, sensitivity, and terroir-driven philosophy that defines their Burgundian work.

Terroir & Vineyards

The domaine is based in the crus of Fleurie and Chiroubles, working primarily with old-vine Gamay planted on steep slopes of decomposed pink granite and quartz. These well-drained soils produce wines with lifted aromatics, fine tannins, and crystalline minerality. Many parcels are trained in the traditional gobelet style, with vines often exceeding 50 years of age. On the steepest slopes, the team still ploughs by horse to preserve the fragile structure of the terraces.

Farming & Winemaking

From the very beginning, Lafarge-Vial committed to organic viticulture and quickly introduced biodynamic practices, ultimately achieving certification. All fruit is harvested by hand. In the cellar, fermentations are carried out with indigenous yeasts, typically incorporating 15–25% whole clusters depending on vintage and parcel character. Extraction is extremely gentle to preserve purity and finesse.

Aging lasts around 12 months in a mix of neutral 228L and 350L barrels as well as larger foudres, ensuring that oak never dominates the expression of place. The wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Style & Philosophy

Domaine Lafarge-Vial aims to bring Burgundian clarity and precision to Gamay, while letting Beaujolais’ granitic terroirs speak for themselves. The wines are vibrant, elegant, and mineral-driven, placing emphasis on texture and aromatic delicacy rather than power. For Frédéric and Chantal, this domaine is not a side project but a fully realized, long-term commitment — one that blends deep respect for tradition with a fresh perspective on the potential of Beaujolais’ great crus.