Two Female Vintners Resurrect a Burgundian Château
In the Côte Chalonnaise of southern Burgundy—a serene enclave nestled just beyond the famed Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune—stands an 18th-century jewel: Château de Garnerot. Once the beating heart of Burgundy’s viticultural high society, this historic estate hosted prestigious gatherings of the Confrérie Saint-Vincent and grand events such as Les Grands Jours de Bourgogne.
In 2018, two visionaries from entirely different spheres orchestrated a remarkable renaissance for this storied property.
From Luxury and Finance to the Vine Caroline Fyot built her career in Paris’s insurance industry, while Alexia Russo thrived in the international luxury sector. While pivoting to viticulture is not unprecedented, their dedication was nothing short of extraordinary.
After earning formal agricultural qualifications at the Lycée Viticole de Beaune and honing their craft at renowned domaines in the Côte de Nuits and Côte Chalonnaise, they unveiled their premier vintage in 2018. They aptly named their project a “renaissance”—the masterful resurrection of an 18th-century legacy.
Cultivating by Horse and Lunar Calendar Their uncompromising philosophy is most vividly expressed in the vineyard.
Eschewing all synthetic interventions, they earned official organic certification (Agriculture Biologique) in 2022. Select parcels are farmed biodynamically, with the rhythm of the vineyard guided by the lunar calendar. The terroir is gently tilled by horse, and every cluster is hand-harvested and meticulously selected.
In the cellar, they champion a low-intervention ethos. Relying entirely on indigenous yeasts native to the vineyard, with zero fining or filtration, their intention is unwavering: to bottle the purest, unaltered expression of the terroir.
Their absolute commitment to natural wine is further cemented by their membership in RAW WINE, the global platform demanding complete transparency in organic and biodynamic practices.
A Red Born of “White Rock” One of the estate’s flagship cuvées is Roc Blanc—“white rock” in French—named for the limestone-rich soils of the parcel. Despite the moniker, this extraordinary terroir yields an exquisite 100% Pinot Noir.
Perched on south-facing slopes in Mercurey at elevations of 250 to 300 meters, the site rests on thick gray marl dating to the Jurassic period. The flawless balance between limestone-driven minerality and water-retentive clay nurtures exceptionally concentrated fruit from heritage vines averaging 40 years of age.
A pre-fermentation cold soak gently extracts vivid color and delicate aromatics, followed by spontaneous fermentation. Aged for 15 months in oak barrels and bottled unfined and unfiltered, the wine is a revelation. In the glass, vibrant notes of cherry and raspberry entwine with rose petals, black pepper, and forest undergrowth, culminating in a lingering finish laced with a saline, limestone-derived minerality.
A Boutique Estate Shaping Burgundy’s Future Château de Garnerot spans a mere six hectares. Yet, this exclusivity is its greatest asset. Every parcel receives bespoke attention; each vine is tended to as if in quiet conversation.
With multiple cuvées celebrated in the Guide Hachette des Vins and a prestigious Gold Medal at Japan’s Sakura Women’s Wine Awards in 2021, international acclaim has swiftly followed—quietly affirming that their renaissance is a beautifully realized vision.
Upon white stone, two women craft an exceptional red wine. In every glass, the centuries-old elegance of an 18th-century château meets the fierce conviction of the present—seamlessly layered, enduringly refined. (Mr. Bacchus)
This article is intended solely to explore the winemaking artistry and cultural heritage of Château de Garnerot and the Mercurey “Roc Blanc” Rouge brand, and does not aim to promote or encourage the consumption of alcohol. / บทความนี้จัดทำขึ้นเพื่อนำเสนอข้อมูลเกี่ยวกับศิลปะการทำไวน์และมรดกทางวัฒนธรรมของ Château de Garnerot และแบรนด์ Mercurey “Roc Blanc” Rouge เท่านั้น มิได้มีเจตนาเพื่อส่งเสริมหรือโฆษณาเครื่องดื่มแอลกอฮอล์ สำหรับผู้มีอายุ 20 ปีขึ้นไป โปรดดื่มอย่างรับผิดชอบ