LOUIS MOREAU

This highly regarded Chablis estate was founded by Louis and Anne Moreau in 1994, following the return of half of the Moreau family vineyards that had previously been leased to the négociant house J. Moreau & Fils.

Based in the commune of Beines, the estate comprises 52 hectares of vineyards spanning the appellations of Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru and Chablis Grand Cru. The Moreau family owns parcels in five of Chablis’ seven Grand Crus, including the celebrated Clos des Hospices dans Les Clos, a rare monopole acquired in 1904 and widely regarded as the domaine’s flagship wine.

The vineyards are farmed according to the principles of lutte raisonnée, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and biodiversity. Several Premier Cru and Grand Cru parcels are currently being converted to organic viticulture, while sélection massale is favoured for replanting in order to preserve the vines’ genetic diversity.

Harvesting methods are tailored to each vineyard. Petit Chablis and Chablis are machine-harvested using ultra-modern, gentle equipment that enables the fruit to be picked quickly at optimum ripeness. By contrast, all Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards are harvested by hand, with whole bunches transported directly to the press.

Winemaking is deliberately restrained to preserve both the purity of the fruit and the distinctive expression of each vineyard. Fermentation is spontaneous for all wines except Petit Chablis, while malolactic fermentation is carefully managed according to the vineyard and vintage. Vinification and ageing take place almost exclusively in stainless steel tanks, preserving freshness, precision and the hallmark mineral character of Chablis. The sole exception is Chablis Grand Cru Valmur, which is matured in 500-litre French oak barrels, up to 25% of which are new, adding subtle texture and complexity without overshadowing the wine’s terroir.

Looking to the future, Louis Moreau has welcomed the next generation into the family business. In 2022, he established Domaine Louis Moreau Père & Filles, a new estate dedicated entirely to organic viticulture. His daughter, Diane Moreau, following her oenology studies at the University of Dijon, now plays an integral role in both vineyard management and winemaking, helping to ensure the continuation of the family’s impressive winemaking legacy.