Domaine Michel Lafarge in Volnay has its origins in the early 19th century with the Gillotte family. Marie Gillotte later married Henri Lafarge, who came from Uchizy in the Mâconnais region. In 1934, Henri made a significant mark in the domaine's history by bottling its first wines, including a Passetoutgrains and the renowned Volnay Clos des Chênes. Over the years, this cuvée has become a flagship of the Lafarge estate.
In 1949, Michel Lafarge joined his father, continuing the family legacy. Later, in 1978, his son Frédéric joined him, followed by his daughter Clothilde in 2018. The transition of responsibilities between Michel and Frédéric was seamless; Michel brought exceptional skills in the cellar and a deep understanding of winemaking, while Frédéric introduced advancements in vineyard management. Although both prefer to stay out of the limelight, their talent and expertise have earned well-deserved recognition.
When Michel Lafarge passed away in January 2020 at the age of 91, the village of Volnay lost a humble star. However, with Frédéric at the helm since 1978, the domaine remains in excellent hands. Together, Michel and Frédéric have played a pivotal role in elevating Volnay's status as a revered source of remarkable Burgundy wines. Their carefully curated selection of premier crus has paved the way for the creation of understated yet exceptionally long-lived Pinot Noir.
Their vinification process remains traditional at the domaine, using 100% destemmed grapes and limiting the use of new oak to around 15% for the top cuvées. This approach emphasises the purity of the fruit, resulting in wines that are exceptionally focused, energetic, and expressive of their terroir. The interplay of biodynamic farming, prime vineyard sites, and traditional winemaking methods produces wines that are nothing short of extraordinary, representing the pinnacle of red wine production in the Côte de Beaune.