La Chablisienne

The history of La Chablisienne

La Chablisienne was founded under the impetus of Abbé Balitrand in 1923. The aim of this association of winegrowers was to overcome economic difficulties by creating a cooperative winery in the heart of the Chablis vineyards. Until the mid-1950s, winegrowers delivered their own wine, while La Chablisienne made the blends and sold them mainly to wholesalers. To ensure total control over vinification, La Chablisienne then decided to recover the harvest in the form of must. Today, La Chablisienne is a benchmark, producing 25% of Chablis.

The La Chablisienne vineyard

La Chablisienne vineyards stretch along both banks of the Le Serein river, on the terroir of 17 communes. The soil is predominantly Kimmeridgian, consisting of an accumulation of sediments - notably containing a very large number of small oyster fossils ostrea virgula - alternating with marl and marly limestone. This composition is the source of the finesse of Chablis wine, in addition to its subtle minerality and unique crystalline tone. The La Chablisienne vineyard is planted entirely with Chardonnay.

The Chablis appellation

The international renown of Chablis wines is intimately linked to its unique grape variety, Chardonnay. Originally from Burgundy, it is now grown all over the world. Chardonnay thrives in the Chablis terroirs of the Serein valley. It was the monks of Cîteaux who founded Pontivy Abbey in the 12th century and introduced Chardonnay to the region. Their patient and constant work on the selection and cultivation of Chardonnay vines has resulted in wines marketed worldwide.

Chablisienne wines

Chablis wines are divided into Petits Chablis, which present favorably after one to three years, and Chablis, which require between two and five years. Chablis Grands Crus, as well as Chablis Premiers Crus, are considered mature wines, requiring 5 to 10 years of ageing. La Chablisienne offers some thirty different cuvées and crus: Grands Crus, Premiers Crus, Chablis and Petits Chablis and the famous Château Grenouilles, a legendary Chablis wine.

Les Grands Crus de La Chablisienne

Bougros, Blanchot, Les Clos, Les Preuses, Valmur, Vaudésir

Les Premiers Crus de La Chablisienne

Grande Cuvée, Beauroy; Côte de Léchet, Fourchaume, Les Fourneaux, Les Lys, L'Homme Mort, Montée de Tonnerre, Mont de Milieu, Montmains, Vaillons, Vaulorent, Vaucoupin

Château Grenouille

Since 2003, La Chablisienne has been producing Château Grenouille wine. The estate extends over 7.2 hectares in a single block at the foot of the Grenouilles hillside, and the plots benefit from optimum sunshine, with south-west exposure, facing the village of Chablis. Château Grenouille is the rarest and most prestigious of the Chablis Grands Crus.