2014 Domaine Leroy Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots du Milieu

Domaine Leroy is one of the most talked-about wine estates in Burgundy. Not because of large production volumes, but because of its uncompromising philosophy, limited production, and outstanding reputation among wine enthusiasts.

Domaine Leroy: A Legendary Wine Estate in Burgundy

Domaine Leroy was founded in 1988 by Lalou Bize-Leroy. However, the family's history goes back much further. Maison Leroy was established in 1868 as a wine merchant and grew into one of Burgundy's most respected négociants. Lalou did not start from scratch. Instead, she built on generations of knowledge and experience while following her own vision.

Lalou Bize-Leroy is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern Burgundy. For many years, she was co-owner and co-director of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti before dedicating herself entirely to her own estate. Her philosophy has always been straightforward: exceptional wines begin with meticulous care in the vineyard.

The Difference Between Maison Leroy and Domaine Leroy

These two names are often confused, but they represent different parts of the Leroy story.

Maison Leroy is a négociant. It purchases grapes, grape must, or wine from carefully selected growers throughout Burgundy. The wines are then matured and bottled under the Maison Leroy label, resulting in a broad portfolio of Burgundian wines.

Domaine Leroy, on the other hand, works exclusively with grapes from its own vineyards. This gives the estate complete control over every stage of production, from vineyard management to bottling. Annual production is very limited, and many wines are released in extremely small quantities.

The Vineyards of Domaine Leroy

Domaine Leroy owns parcels in some of Burgundy's most prestigious appellations, including Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Richebourg, Musigny, Chambertin, Clos de Vougeot and Corton-Charlemagne. The estate also owns Premier Cru and Village vineyards in appellations such as Vosne-Romanée, Gevrey-Chambertin and Nuits-Saint-Georges.

A common misconception is that Domaine Leroy produces wine from the Grand Cru vineyard Romanée-Conti. This is not the case. Romanée-Conti is a monopole owned exclusively by Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. The confusion likely stems from Lalou Bize-Leroy's long-standing involvement with that iconic estate.

Biodynamic Viticulture and Low Yields

Domaine Leroy is considered one of the pioneers of biodynamic viticulture in Burgundy. The estate moved away from chemical fertilisers and synthetic pesticides many years ago. Most vineyard work is carried out by hand, with careful attention given to every vine throughout the growing season.

Yields are intentionally kept extremely low. This means each vine produces fewer grapes than is typical. Lower yields do not automatically guarantee better wine, but at Domaine Leroy they are an essential part of achieving concentration, balance and remarkable depth.

The combination of old vines, biodynamic farming and rigorous selection gives each vintage its own personality. This is one of the reasons why collectors and Burgundy enthusiasts enjoy comparing different vintages and vineyard sites.

Why Are Domaine Leroy Wines So Highly Sought After?

A bottle of Domaine Leroy is not something you come across every day. Many cuvées consist of only a few hundred bottles each vintage. As a result, availability is extremely limited while global demand continues to grow. Collectors, fine dining restaurants and wine lovers compete each year for a small allocation.

The wines are also renowned for their exceptional ageing potential. Many vintages continue to develop beautifully for several decades, making older bottles even rarer than new releases.

Another remarkable aspect is Lalou Bize-Leroy's personal involvement in virtually every detail, from vineyard work to the final selection of each wine. This consistent approach has helped establish Domaine Leroy as one of Burgundy's most prestigious producers.

Buying Domaine Leroy Wines

Domaine Leroy wines deserve optimal storage conditions. That is why all our bottles are kept in a climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, where both temperature and humidity are continuously monitored. This ensures that every bottle remains in excellent condition until it reaches its new owner.

Prefer to collect your order? Customers automatically receive a collection discount. The discount becomes visible as soon as you select 'Collect' during checkout.