Morgane & Christian: The Artisans Behind Domaine Dandelion

In the picturesque village of Mavilly-Mandelot in Burgundy’s Hautes Côtes de Beaune, Morgane Seuillot and Christian Knott are creating wines of stunning purity and elegance. This small but mighty team—joined by their daughter, Rose—embodies a commitment to biodynamic and natural winemaking, crafting a rare and authentic expression of their unique terroir.

A Meeting of Worlds

Morgane, a native of Beaune, and Christian, an Australian winemaker from Bondi, Sydney, met serendipitously at Christian’s espresso cart in Beaune’s Saturday market. This charming introduction marked the beginning of both a personal and professional partnership that would lead to the creation of Domaine Dandelion.

Christian moved to Burgundy in 2009, bringing with him a passion for sustainable viticulture. Morgane, deeply rooted in her Burgundian heritage, shared his vision. Together, they began farming 2.2 hectares of old-vine Aligoté, Gamay, and Pinot Noir across small parcels around Meloisey, a quaint village just beyond St. Romain.

Nature-Led Viticulture

At Domaine Dandelion, every aspect of viticulture and winemaking is deeply respectful of nature. The vineyards, some planted as far back as 1901, are tended without mechanization. Horses work the fields when possible, and the steepest plots are farmed entirely by hand. Raw milk is sprayed on the vines in place of sulfur, preserving the health of the vineyard in a natural way.

Harvest in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune occurs nearly a month later than the rest of Burgundy, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and fully. In the cellar beneath their house, Christian and Morgane avoid pumps, filtration, and additives. The wines are gently pressed using a traditional wooden screw press and aged in neutral oak barrels. No sulfur dioxide is added at any stage, ensuring the wines remain unadulterated expressions of the land.

A Labor of Love

The couple’s dedication extends to every detail, including their wine labels. Morgane uses artisanal paper from the historic Moulin Vallis Clausa in Fontaine de Vaucluse, which is composed of cotton, linen, hemp, and delicate bluet flowers. She cuts the labels by hand, stamps them with her bird illustrations, and graphs each name manually. Each bottle is a reflection of their meticulous craftsmanship.

Expanding Horizons

In 2021, Christian and Morgane expanded their offerings to include cider, adhering to the same ethos of minimal intervention and reverence for natural processes. Their dedication to organic farming and small-batch production continues to shine in every bottle they produce.

A Hidden Gem in Burgundy

Domaine Dandelion stands as a rare find in Burgundy, a region where small-scale vignerons face immense challenges due to the high cost of land. The wines, made from old-vine Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Aligoté, are bright, expressive, and full of personality.

For wine lovers seeking an authentic taste of Burgundy, Domaine Dandelion offers a glimpse into a world where tradition, sustainability, and artistry come together in perfect harmony.