Portraits of winemakers

DOMAINE DE LA VERPAILLE

319 Views Posted on: 2024-06-05
 

Domaine de la Verpaille: A Legacy of Family and Passion

A Family Tradition Since 1880

Domaine de la Verpaille is a story of family and tradition. Winemakers from father to son since 1880, Baptiste Philippe represents the 5th generation committed to sharing their passion for viticulture. Located in the heart of the Cru Vire-Clessé in the Mâconnais region, Baptiste took over the estate in 2004 with the goal of showcasing the complexity of its terroir through various cuvées. Over the past 19 years, Domaine de la Verpaille has earned a solid reputation, reflecting the hard work of the winemaker and his team.

Terroirs and Appellations

The family estate spans 20 hectares of vineyards, divided into four prestigious appellations: Viré-Clessé, Mâcon-Villages, Mâcon, and Bourgogne. Domaine de la Verpaille highlights the Chardonnay, the emblematic grape of the Burgundy region, across its different cuvées. The estate also cultivates a few parcels of Gamay, producing fruity and light wines.

Organic Farming to Unveil Terroirs

Baptiste Philippe swiftly converted the estate to organic farming, and since 2006, Domaine de la Verpaille has been producing organic wines. The winemaker's vision is that vines, nourished by these raw terroirs, produce exceptional grapes. At the estate, the vines are tended using traditional methods, including plowing and controlled natural cover crops. Compost is also produced on-site to nourish the soil.

Baptiste Philippe fondly remembers his transition to organic farming, which allowed him to balance his values, technical work, and commercial aspects. Passionate about wine since childhood, Baptiste was later joined by his wife, who now assists in the development of the estate. Their meticulous work and minimal intervention allow the different terroirs of the estate to express themselves freely in their cuvées.

The Finesse and Elegance of Mâconnais Wines

Domaine de la Verpaille maintains a discreet approach in winemaking. Allowing the wine time to express itself is a key part of the winemaker’s philosophy. Harvests are carried out at optimal ripeness to develop a complex and unique aromatic bouquet once in the bottle. Fermentation is conducted using native yeasts, with no chaptalization or acidification. The wines are aged on fine lees. Each cuvée is vinified and aged for 12 months to fully develop its potential.

The estate primarily produces dry white wines made from Chardonnay. The Viré-Clessé climat wines are small treasures that allow you to explore the exceptional terroir of the Mâconnais. These bottles showcase the different expressions of Chardonnay depending on the soils and parcels. These cuvées reflect the estate's philosophy with minimal intervention, no additives, and no excess. The estate also produces two sparkling wines: a Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay made using traditional methods and Les Miss, a sparkling wine made from Gamay.