Domaine Jaeger-Defaix

The family has a long history in the region, with Henri Niepce, the great-grandfather of Hélène, contributing significantly to Rully gaining its AOC status in the 1930s and helping to build its fame. Located in the Chalonnaise, only 100ha of Rully’s vineyards are classified as 1er cru. Farming organically since 2009, the vines have an average age of at least 35 years. The grapes are hand-picked, and pressing is slow and gentle to extract the best juice, with modest handling to preserve the elegance of the wine.

Viticulture

The vineyards lie on limestone and clay soils typical of Rully, providing excellent drainage and contributing mineral tension and structure to the wines. Most parcels are Premier Cru sites such as Mont‑Palais, Les Cloux and Rabourcé, as well as Clos du Chapitre. Viticulture has been certified organic since 2009, with practices including ploughing to aerate soils, minimal use of treatments (limited to sulphur and copper when necessary), and manual harvesting to ensure optimal fruit quality. Vine age averages around 35 years, supporting concentration and complexity.

Winemaking

Winemaking is careful and relatively low‑intervention, focused on preserving purity and elegance. Grapes are hand‑picked and gently pressed, with slow extraction to retain finesse. Fermentation is precise and controlled, with modest use of oak (particularly for Premier Cru wines) to add structure without overwhelming fruit or mineral character. The wines are crafted in a classic Burgundian style, often with vinification carried out in the family’s Chablis facilities.