Domaine Pavelot

Perched on the hillside in the village of Pernand-Vergelesses, 7th generation brother/sister team of Luc and Lise Pavelot operated this 10 hectare organic estate with care. Specialists in the wines of Pernand-Vergelesses and neighboring Corton, the Pavelot family is well known locally – indeed the village has its own Rue Louis Pavelot! The domaine produces both red and white wines, including Grand Crus from Corton and most of the designated Premier Crus of Pernand. Earning their Ecocert certification over a decade ago, the family is committed to biodynamic practices; no herbicides are employed, only ploughing between the rows, and only native yeasts are used. The Pavelots even eschew plastic bins for harvest. Instead, they use traditional wicker baskets to bring the ripe fruit in from the vineyards. An iconic image of the harvest in Burgundy, the baskets minimize crushing, allow the grapes to breathe and preserve their integrity. If the fruit is by chance touched by rot, its undesirable juice will drain during the transport. This is representative of their focus on natural quality. As for the wines themselves, they are designed to age, but the team strives for freshness and a lighter, more elegant touch, with some floral notes in the nose and spiciness on the palate. Lise probably puts it best when she says, “We like finesse, but we like a little structure for longevity too!”