Founded in 1983 by Noëlle and Jean-Claude Biot, who at the time took over a small 4.5-hectare vineyard, Domaine Fontaine de la Vierge is a family venture rooted in passion and respect for the land. The first plantings began in 1985, and the estate grew steadily until reaching its current size.
The true stylistic and technical turning point came in 2007 with the arrival of their son, Clément Biot. A graduate in viticulture and oenology, Clément took the reins with a clear vision: to combine the farmer’s common sense inherited from his parents with modern oenological rigor. His philosophy is based on a deep respect for the vines. Both in the vineyard and in the cellar, intervention is minimal and measured, the goal being to guide the grape so that it delivers the purest possible expression of its terroir.
Terroir, Soils & Vineyard
Located in Chitry-le-Fort, a historic 13th-century fortified village nestled just 12 kilometers from Auxerre and right next to the Chablis region, the estate now spans 15 hectares of vineyards, bordered by hills and cherry orchards.
The Soil: The estate’s defining characteristic lies in its geological foundation. The vines thrive on the famous Kimmeridgian limestone marl. This legendary subsoil (rich in small fossilized Exogyra virgula oysters), identical to that of the Chablis Grands Crus, imparts to the wines a crisp mineral tension, a saline depth, and a crystalline clarity.
Grape Varieties: The vineyard is judiciously divided among three grape varieties characteristic of the region: Chardonnay (5.5 ha in Bourgogne Chitry and 1 ha in Chablis), Aligoté (5 ha), and Pinot Noir (3.5 ha).
The Kimmeridgian Revelation Outside Chablis: While the Chardonnay here displays a sharp minerality that rivals the finest Chablis, Clément Biot’s true masterstroke is bringing out the brilliance of Aligoté and Pinot Noir on these limestone marls. The Pinot Noirs, grown on particularly well-exposed slopes, move away from the rusticity sometimes associated with the Auxerrois region to offer reds of rare elegance—light and airy, with crisp red fruit and a delicate floral structure.
A Haute Couture Approach to Single-Vineyard Wines: With a limited production of approximately 40,000 bottles per year from 15 hectares, the estate prioritizes a haute couture approach. Clément meticulously selects his finest plots to create cuvées with a strong identity (Éléa, Terres Blanches, Rosé de Claudet, Divine GAÏA). Each bottle bears witness to a distinct microclimate and soil nuance.
The Missing Link Between Tension and Richness: Domaine Fontaine de la Vierge achieves the perfect balance: it offers the minerality, liveliness, and chalky purity of Chablis soils, while retaining the body, fruity richness, and immediate drinkability that define the charm of the Grand Auxerrois. A vibrant signature, ideal for lovers of authentic, precise Burgundies with a focus on verticality
