Domaine Jean Collet et Fils
One of the great multi-generational families of Chablis, the Collet family have been making wine in this region since 1792, and the domaine itself was established in 1952 by Jean Collet, with the first domaine-bottled offerings emerging two years later in 1954. His grandson, Romain, is now firmly at the helm and has overseen each vintage since returning to Chablis and joining his parents in 2008. Romain studied winemaking in Beaune and, like many of his generation, worked abroad including in wineries in New Zealand, honing and developing winemaking skills and abilities.
The Collet estate comprises more than thirty-five hectares of vines with parcels in the Grands Crus Valmur and Les Clos; 1ers Crus Montée de Tonnerre, Mont de Milieu, Montmains, Vaillons, Sécher and Butteaux; plus well-known lieux-dit ‘Les Truffières’ as well as AOCs Chablis and Petit Chablis. Bourgogne Rouge and Sauvignon de SaintBris are also produced.
The family have tended to their vines historically according to lutte raisonnée principles which limit the usage of phytosanitary treatments to the absolute minimum necessary, and they have now successfully converted twelve hectares of their vineyards to fully certified organic viticulture. Harvests start early and at midnight– a practice used by Romain since 2018, where an army of pickers descends on the vineyards overnight and hand-picks the fruit at the coolest possible temperatures, preserving delicate aromatics and trademark, razor-like acidity – concluding at 11:00am.