Domaine d’Élise

Established in 1970, the Domaine d’Elise is located just outside the town of Chablis in the commune of Milly. It was purchased by the current owner Frédéric Prain in 1982. The domaine’s vineyard is situated directly above the south/southeastern facing Premier Cru Côte de Lechet vineyard. It is unusual in that its entire 13 hectares are in one parcel.

Interestingly, the appellation laws have divided the vineyard into two equal plots of Chablis Villages and Petit Chablis. The soils are quite poor with an abundance of surface stones, particularly on the top of the hill. A great deal of pruning is done throughout the growing season in order to limit yields to 45/50 hl per ha. Harvesting is done as late as possible.

Frédéric Prain allows the must to settle before fermentation (débourbage) which is done in stainless steel lined cement vats that are temperature controlled. Both wines go through a malolactic fermentation and then are matured on their lees; the Petit Chablis for seven months and the Chablis for 10 months. Frédéric Prain selects the best vats to bottle under his own label and sells 50% of his production “en vrac” to negociants. His wine is fined before being bottled.

The Domaine is listed (and very well noted!) in the two most important wine guides of France.