Domaine des Rouges-Queues is a biodynamic winery founded in 1998 by Isabelle and Jean-Yves Vantey in Sampigny-lès-Maranges, the southernmost village of Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, within the Maranges AOC. Starting with one hectare of Maranges Rouge, the domaine has expanded to 5.6 hectares across 15 plots in 10 appellations, including Maranges, Santenay, Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune, and Bourgogne Aligoté. Certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Demeter principles since 2008, despite certification challenges noted by emmabentleyvino.com), the Vanteys produce ~15,000–20,000 bottles annually of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Aligoté, and Gamay. Their wines, known for vibrant fruit, silky textures, and terroir purity, are crafted with minimal sulfites (0–20 mg/L) and are highly sought after in natural wine markets in France, the US, and Europe. The domaine’s name, inspired by red-tailed birds (rouges-queues) visiting during cellar renovations, reflects its connection to nature.

Winemaking Philosophy

• Organic and Biodynamic Viticulture: Certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic since 2008, with practices honed through mentorship from Dominique Derain (St-Aubin). Vines, aged 20–98 years, grow on Jurassic limestone-clay and marl soils (350–400 meters elevation). Spring plowing (by horse for Premier Cru and white wine plots to prevent soil compaction) and manual hoeing control weeds. Biodynamic treatments (horn manure, silica, horsetail infusions) replace synthetic chemicals, with preparations made collectively with winemakers from Loire, Chablis, and Jura. Harvests are manual, with sorting in the vineyard by a loyal team of pickers. Each plot has a tailored management plan, from horse-plowed Premier Crus to grass-covered parcels.

• Natural Winemaking: Minimalist cellar work in Sampigny-lès-Maranges prioritizes terroir. Reds (Pinot Noir, Gamay, Passetoutgrain) are partially destemmed (percentage varies by vintage health), with whole-cluster fermentation in open oak vats for 10–15 days, using native yeasts. Gentle pigeages and pumpovers ensure minimal extraction. Reds age 12 months in used French oak barrels (228L, 5–15 years old). Whites (Chardonnay, Aligoté) are whole-bunch pressed, fermented in oak (except Aligoté, aged in tanks for freshness), and aged 10–12 months. No fining, no filtration, and minimal sulfites (0–20 mg/L at bottling, if needed). Experimental cuvées (e.g., Maranges En Buliet) showcase parcel-specificity.

• Grape Varieties and Cuvées:

  • Whites: Chardonnay (Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc, Santenay Blanc Saint Jean de Narosse, Maranges Blanc), Aligoté (Bourgogne Aligoté). Profiles are fresh, mineral, with citrus, pear, and fossil-driven notes (e.g., Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc 2021: 4.0/195, 12.5% ABV).

  • Reds: Pinot Noir (Bourgogne Rouge, Maranges En Buliet, Maranges 1er Cru La Fussière, Maranges 1er Cru Clos Roussots, Santenay Les Saunières, Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Rouge), Gamay/Pinot Noir (Bourgogne Passetoutgrain). Essences include cherry, red berries, spices, and silky tannins (e.g., Maranges En Buliet 2021: 4.0/80, $42, 13% ABV).

• Terroir: Maranges’ limestone-clay and fossil-rich marl soils (e.g., En Buliet’s 21-acre plot at 350 meters) yield structured, elegant wines. Hautes-Côtes de Beaune’s higher altitude adds freshness, while Santenay’s clay enhances depth. The bucolic, wild Maranges landscape, with steep hills and biodiversity, contrasts with Chassagne-Montrachet’s monoculture, enhancing terroir purity.

Background

• Founders: Isabelle and Jean-Yves Vantey, born ~1960s–1970s, met in the 1990s in Valais, Switzerland, united by a passion for wine. Jean-Yves studied at Beaune’s winemaking school, working at conventional wineries before rejecting herbicides by 2002. They founded the domaine with one hectare in 1998, expanding to 5.6 hectares. Mentorship from Dominique Derain and a biodynamic study group shaped their approach.

• Vision: To craft authentic, fruit-driven wines that express Maranges’ terroir, prioritizing sustainability and minimal intervention. Their 2020 vintage, lauded for “éclatant” fruit, marks them as rising stars.

• Scale: 5.6 hectares across 15 plots yield ~15,000–20,000 bottles, allocated to natural wine markets. Limited production (e.g., 2018’s scarcity) restricts public sales.

• Challenges: Early reliance on herbicides (pre-2002) shifted with family health concerns. Demeter certification was denied due to bureaucratic demands for purchased biodynamic preparation invoices, despite self-made treatments with Loire/Jura peers. Frost and small yields challenge production, but biodynamics ensures vine resilience.

• Fiona Leroy Connection: Fiona Leroy worked at Domaine des Rouges-Queues before founding her own 2.7-hectare domaine in Dezize-lès-Maranges in 2017, adopting similar biodynamic and natural methods, likely influenced by the Vanteys’ mentorship.