Region: Burgundy, France (Mâconnais / Viré-Clessé AOC)
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Body: Medium to Full
Notes: Ripe golden apple, fresh Meyer lemon, white peach, acacia flower, crushed limestone minerality, and a subtle touch of fresh butter and toasted brioche
Pairing: Roasted chicken with herbs, seared sea scallops, creamy mushroom risotto, grilled trout, or continuous charcuterie boards
The Producer
Domaine Stéphane Guillemin is a family-owned estate situated in Clessé, in the heart of Burgundy’s Mâconnais region. Representing generations of deep viticultural roots, Stéphane Guillemin manages the family's parcels with meticulous care, prioritizing sustainable practices and respect for the local ecosystem. The estate's plots are planted on sunny, east- and southeast-facing slopes featuring limestone and clay-rich soils typical of the Mâconnais. In the cellar, Stéphane favors a balanced, minimal-intervention approach to allow the true expression of the terroir to shine. By combining temperature-controlled stainless steel aging with subtle neutral barrel maturation, the estate crafts vibrant, food-friendly Chardonnays that capture both the sunny generosity and crisp limestone backbone of the southern Mâconnais.
The Wine
The 2021 Viré-Clessé from Domaine Stéphane Guillemin captures the classic elegance of one of the Mâconnais region's premier white wine appellations. Created in 1999 to recognize the exceptional quality of the neighboring villages of Viré and Clessé, the AOC is famous for producing Chardonnays that blend rich, sun-ripened orchard fruit with vibrant limestone acidity. The 2021 vintage in Burgundy—characterized by cooler conditions that favored freshness and aromatic precision—yielded a remarkably balanced and energetic wine. Hand-harvested and gently pressed, the juice is fermented with native and selected wild yeasts before aging on its fine lees in stainless steel and neutral oak tanks. The resulting wine seamlessly pairs rich aromas of yellow orchard fruits, stone fruits, and delicate white flowers with a mouthwatering, chalky mineral backbone and a long, crisp finish.
Region: Burgundy, France (Mâconnais / Viré-Clessé AOC)
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Body: Medium to Full
Notes: Ripe golden apple, fresh Meyer lemon, white peach, acacia flower, crushed limestone minerality, and a subtle touch of fresh butter and toasted brioche
Pairing: Roasted chicken with herbs, seared sea scallops, creamy mushroom risotto, grilled trout, or continuous charcuterie boards
The Producer
Domaine Stéphane Guillemin is a family-owned estate situated in Clessé, in the heart of Burgundy’s Mâconnais region. Representing generations of deep viticultural roots, Stéphane Guillemin manages the family's parcels with meticulous care, prioritizing sustainable practices and respect for the local ecosystem. The estate's plots are planted on sunny, east- and southeast-facing slopes featuring limestone and clay-rich soils typical of the Mâconnais. In the cellar, Stéphane favors a balanced, minimal-intervention approach to allow the true expression of the terroir to shine. By combining temperature-controlled stainless steel aging with subtle neutral barrel maturation, the estate crafts vibrant, food-friendly Chardonnays that capture both the sunny generosity and crisp limestone backbone of the southern Mâconnais.
The Wine
The 2021 Viré-Clessé from Domaine Stéphane Guillemin captures the classic elegance of one of the Mâconnais region's premier white wine appellations. Created in 1999 to recognize the exceptional quality of the neighboring villages of Viré and Clessé, the AOC is famous for producing Chardonnays that blend rich, sun-ripened orchard fruit with vibrant limestone acidity. The 2021 vintage in Burgundy—characterized by cooler conditions that favored freshness and aromatic precision—yielded a remarkably balanced and energetic wine. Hand-harvested and gently pressed, the juice is fermented with native and selected wild yeasts before aging on its fine lees in stainless steel and neutral oak tanks. The resulting wine seamlessly pairs rich aromas of yellow orchard fruits, stone fruits, and delicate white flowers with a mouthwatering, chalky mineral backbone and a long, crisp finish.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.