Portraits of winemakers

DOMAINE LES VIGNES BLANCHES, CHRISTIAN LÉGER: ‘I WANT MY WINES TO MAKE A LASTING IMPRESSION’.

Vigneron in the Prime of Life

Christian Léger started working in the wine sector at a young age. Hailing from a family of winemakers, he joined his parents at Domaine Les Vignes Blanches, a vineyard in Burgundy, while still in the prime of his youth. "I began studying electromechanics, but I quickly decided to return to wine. I learned everything on the job," Christian recounts.

"Wines of the Palate"

Today, Christian, nearing retirement, joyfully manages his vineyard out of passion. Having sold a significant portion of his land, he now focuses on a few prestigious appellations, including Meursault and Pommard. The Domaine Les Vignes Blanches spans 1 hectare of vines. Due to the small area to vinify, the harvest is done entirely by hand. "When I had my other parcels, I used machines for harvesting because the vineyard was much larger. But now, it's a real pleasure to do everything by hand," Christian comments.

Regarding his wines, Christian emphasizes producing what he calls "wines of the palate," which are both smooth and refined. "I believe a wine worthy of its name should leave a lasting impression. I don't want people to drink my wines quickly, like a glass of water they'd forget about ten minutes later!"

A Museum at the Heart of the Cellar

Domaine Les Vignes Blanches also houses a museum displaying tools collected over the years by Christian. "All these items belonged to my family and were carefully preserved. I wanted to share this family heritage with the public and restore anything that was a bit rusty. So I thought, why not dedicate a museum to it?" The museum features traces of the Léger family on parchment manuscripts from the Commanderie de Beaune, and on the crosses of the Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem. Throughout the year, Christian welcomes visitors to his domain and offers a small stop at the museum. In the summer, Domaine Les Vignes Blanches offers a vineyard tour, wine tasting, and museum visit for 6 euros per person. The rest of the year, museum and cellar tours are available by appointment.