From two plots of older-vine Aligoté (around 60 years) on clay-rich soils — rare depth for the appellation and a serious expression of Aligoté’s potential. Zero added sulfites. Nothing added, nothing removed.
Domaine de Mandelot
Domaine de Mandelot is the personal project of François Grangé, whose path to this domaine was anything but rushed. For fifteen years, François worked at the biodynamic estate Chandon de Briailles, building a deep, practical understanding of vineyard work while slowly laying the groundwork for a more self-sufficient life. Alongside that chapter, he began raising Mangalitza pigs on a small family farm where he now lives — a place shaped by patience, routine, and care rather than ambition.
The vineyards came to him almost unexpectedly. A nearby château had recently changed hands, and during a casual aperitif with the new owners, François learned that the six hectares of vines attached to the property were about to lose their longtime steward. That same evening, they asked if he would take them on. He said yes.
François assumed responsibility for the vineyards in 2021 and immediately began converting them to organic farming. The first year was about observation and transition. In 2022, all of the fruit was sold off, with only a few small, private vinifications made to better understand the sites. The 2023 vintage marks the true beginning of Domaine de Mandelot as a winemaking project.
Today, much of the work is done by horse — about 4.5 hectares are plowed this way — a choice that reflects both respect for the soil and a commitment to working at the right pace. Farming is organic, but also inventive and attentive: skimmed milk is used in the vineyards to combat powdery mildew in place of sulfur, and cover crops are carefully chosen to encourage soil life and balance. Fava beans, for example, are planted to support natural nitrogen levels. The soils are predominantly clay, with very little limestone and occasional sandy parcels, and they are already showing the results of this careful stewardship.
The vineyards are planted to Aligoté, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay, and a small parcel of Pinot Blanc. Vinification for the 2023 wines is handled without inputs — no additions during fermentation, aging, or bottling — allowing the first true expression of these sites to come through clearly. The wines feel thoughtful and grounded, shaped by a grower who understands that real progress in farming and wine happens slowly, and only with consistent attention. Domaine de Mandelot may be young, but it’s built on experience, restraint, and a long view of the land.
