Beaune, Burgundy, France
ESTATE
After achieving a double Masters in Art History and Archaeology as well as Musicology, Julien Petitjean opted for a change in career, as he was eager to reap the physical fruits of his labour. He attended La Viti in Beaune, and has worked for the past 8 years in a number of domains across the Côte-de-Nuits. Julien has long believed in biodynamics and decided that he would establish his own estate from scratch in 2012 in Nolay in Beaune. The property covers 5.8 hectares of vineyards between Puligny-Montrachet and Beaune, covering appellations of Bourgogne, Hautes-Côtes-de-Beaune and Beaune.
VINEYARD WORK
Julien farms the property biodynamically with minimal ploughing and mowing to ensure the microbiological life in the top soil is not disturbed. He works on his own and sometimes his fiancée Marie Oceane helps him.
WINEMAKING
The Chardonnay cuvées involve whole-bunch pressing, made with no sulphur additions and then aged for 12 months barrels. The Pinot Noir cuvées involve whole-bunch fermentation based on the infusion concept with minimum punch down and extraction. Élevage last for all bottlings for 12 months except for Senex and Eponyme, which are 18 months aged.