A thousand years of history at Clos du Moulin aux Moines
In Auxey-Duresses, Clos du Moulin aux Moines is an emblem of Burgundy's Côte de Beaune region. Founded in 962 by the monks of Cluny Abbey, this historic 3-hectare monopole has preserved its winegrowing heritage over the centuries. Protected by high stone walls, the vineyard lies at the foot of the slope, on the banks of the Cloux stream, which provides a naturally tempering coolness. Its soils of red clay mixed with limestone scree offer a unique mineral richness, the very foundation of the identity of the wine estate's wines.
Today, under the direction of Willy Roulendes, a visionary winemaker and former cellar master at Domaine de Montille who joined the estate in 2008, the wine estate is writing, vintage after vintage, a new page in its age-old story.
Living terroirs and founding gestures
Under the direction of Willy Roulendes, joined in 2020 by Michael Schwab, the wine estate has gradually expanded to 16 hectares spread over some twenty appellations, fromAuxey-Duresses to Puligny-Montrachet, via Pommard, Monthélie, Volnay and Meursault. Our philosophy is based on a respectful approach to nature, in which the vine is an essential component of the ecosystem. Meticulous cultivation methods aim to preserve as well as reveal the full complexity of Burgundy's terroirs. Work in the vineyard is carried out exclusively by hand and horse, without mechanization or chemical inputs. Specific biodynamic preparations, combined with this assertive craftsmanship, stimulate soil microorganisms and encourage flourishing biodiversity. Every action is designed to promote symbiosis between the vine and its environment.
From vineyard to cellar, a single philosophy
At Clos du Moulin aux Moines, winemaking is never a fixed recipe, but a faithful interpretation of each vintage. Following on from the work in the vineyard, the cellar becomes a place of patience and respect, where human intervention is replaced by the expression of the terroir. The grapes, harvested by hand, are carefully sorted in the cellar, or directly on the plot for white wines, before embarking on a journey in which time plays the main role.
Fermentation is exclusively natural, with indigenous yeasts present on the berries to guarantee the wine's identity. Ageing takes place in mostly old oak barrels, and aims for subtlety rather than showiness. The principle is clear: accompany the wine rather than constrain it, let the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay speak for themselves. Each cuvée is thus a sensitive translation of the climate in which it was born, and bears the hallmark of the wine estate: precision, depth and elegance.
Climates revealed in exceptional cuvées
The wines of Clos du Moulin aux Moines each reveal a unique facet of the Côte de Beaune. At the historic heart of the wine estate,Auxey-Duresses Moulin aux Moines blanc Monopole brilliantly expresses the purity of Chardonnay, while its red counterpart reveals the delicacy of Pinot Noir on a clay and limestone terroir. In a more exclusive vein,Auxey-Duresses Le Graal is an exceptional parcel-based cuvée from the historic Clos, worked and vinified exclusively by hand, then aged entirely in barrel, in a veritable human ritual where only gravity guides each stage.
In Meursault, two faces emerge: Meursault Pré de Manche, driven by freshness and beautiful mineral tension, and Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes, whose richness and balance remind us why this is one of Burgundy's most prestigious climates.
As for Pommard , its expressions reflect the depth and energy of Pinot Noir. Pommard 1er Cru Les Pézerolles seduces with its power and complexity, the very rare Pommard 1er Cru Clos Orgelot Monopole impresses with its density and intensity, while the exceptional Pommard 1er Cru Clos Orgelot 1917 stands out as a heritage cuvée, celebrating the centenary of its vines in a remarkably complex version, available in less than 900 bottles.
Finally, in Volnay, elegance takes precedence over strength. Volnay Les Famines illustrates the finesse and suppleness characteristic of the appellation, while Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots combines subtlety and complexity, offering remarkable ageing potential.
More than a wine estate, Clos du Moulin aux Moines is a piece of Burgundy history, where the alliance between ancestral heritage and contemporary awareness makes the heart of the Côte de Beaune beat... and ours!
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