Daniel-Etienne Defaix

With roots that are almost as deep as those of Chablis itself, a domain that has been passed down from father to son for 4 centuries, mostly old vineyards that almost all carry 1er or Grand Cru status and are mainly oriented south-east, all facets are available to make great wines. What makes this domain so unique, however, is not only the fact that no wood is used during the production process, but above all the fact that their top wines are marketed when they believe they are ready to drink, which can take up to 10 years to last.

Daniel-Etienne Defaix owns one of the oldest estates in Chablis. The Defaix family has been winemakers from father to son for 4 centuries. The family estate is located on the oldest terroirs of Chablis, where monks at Pontigny selected a thousand years ago to create the Chablis Appelation. Daniel-Etienne DEFAIX continues the secular and family tradition. The work on the vines remains traditional because a clean and healthy vineyard produces good quality grapes and therefore wines. The domain is 28 hectares, planted with Chardonnay on a typical soil called "kimmeridgien" (Jurassique supérieur, a marne argilo-calcaire with many oysters fossilized in it).

The privileged exposure of the Pontigny monks was and still is a hill with a high slope facing south-east. An advantage for Chablis, which often suffers from frost in spring, and this privileged spot is the first to receive the sun's rays and therefore much less crop losses. The unique style in Chablis consists of many secrets and gifts of this age-old domain and Daniel-Etienne Defaix is ​​the undisputed master of 'long-aged-chablis' There is no rush and it is a firm belief that the wines must mature and this is evidence also that they only release their Premier Crus after 6-8 years but we've had versions here ourselves from 30 years and over and these were even more than fantastic.

Daniel-Etienne Defaix produces with respect for the family tradition:

- 2 Cuvées Chablis: Vieilles et Très Vieilles Vignes.
- 3 Chablis Premier Cru's : Les Lys, Vaillon and Côte de Léchet.
- 2 Chablis Grand Cru's : Blanchot and Grenouilles.
- 1 Bourgogne Rouge.