Terroir Insight: Domaine d’Auvenay, Mazis-Chambertin

Mazis-Chambertin is a terroir with several interesting features – one being that Hospice de Beaune has a large plot on this vineyard – the other being that Domaine d’Auvenay has a plot from where they produce one of the rarest and most expensive grand crus of the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation.

As always when Mme. Bize-Leroy is involved – wine made with no compromise and in pact with nature.

Domaine d’Auvenay a bit of background

Mme Lalou Bize-Leroy is the leading lady of Burgundy – originating from the very prestigious Maison Leroy, that was founded by her great-grandfather Francois Leroy in 1868 – although he was selling wines already back in 1851.

His son Joseph Leroy expanded the business, and his grandson Henri Leroy acquired a large share of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in 1942 from Jacques Chambon – and became co-owner with the de Villaine family.

In 1988 Mme Bize-Leroy founded a new estate – Domaine Leroy – now one of the most prominent estates in Burgundy.

Just a two years later in 1990, Mme Bize-Leroy took over her fathers house and estate Domaine d’Auvenay, as she acquired the share of her older sister, Pauline Roch (1929 – 2009), and began to expand the estate with vineyards both in Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune – reds and white – creating a boutique estate alongside Domaine Leroy and Maison Leroy.

With a large share in DRC, Domaine Leroy and Domaine d’Auvenay – Mme Bize-Leroy is a both prominent and dominant force in Burgundy – owning plots in almost all the top Grand Cru vineyards in Burgundy – from Montrachet via the Grand Crus of Vosne-Romanée to Musigny, Bonnes-Mares and Chambertin.

The odd one out of the Gevrey Grand Crus

Mazis Chambertin is located just north of Chambertin Clos de Bèze and just below Ruchottes-Chambertin. As with Ruchottes-Chambertin the Mazis vineyard is divided in a upper and lower part – Les Mazis Hauts and Les Mazis Bas.

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