Domaine Maillet

In 1999, Nicolas Maillet took over his four generation family estate in the northwestern corner of Maconnais village of Verze.

Before Nicolas joined the estate, they had just 3.5 hectares and the wines were being sold to the local cooperative. Nicolas immediately decided to take the production back for the domain and since 2010 has been farming organically, being certified by Ecocert. Since 2013, he has also introduced biodynamic practices. Whilst the heart of Nicolas’ production lies in Chardonnay, he also works with a bit of Aligote, Pinot Noir and Gamay.

Nicolas now has 7 hectares of old vines - the youngest being 50 years old - on chalky, limestone soils on eastern and south-eastern facing slopes which offer up very mineral, bright styles of wines which are not normally associated with the region. In addition, he works with natural yeasts and long, cool fermentations - up to 18 months - in tanks which further adds to the energetic, complex structure of his wines. Nicolas uses minimal sulphur, with total sulphur levels around 40-50 mg.