Winegrowers’ Burgundy - Chassagne-Montrachet
MAISON MICHEL PICARD
Château de
Chassagne-Montrachet:
an architectural jewel
in the middle of the vineyard
Unique site in a viticultural village
at the foot of the mythical hill of Montrachet, craddle of the eponymous Grand Cru known worldwide, Château de Chassagne-Montrachet is the jewel
of the House Michel Picard.
Everything started in the 50s. Louis Félix Picard, Michel's father, is a wine merchant in Chagny. Michel is only 13 and already helps his father. At that time the family does not own vines. During the 70s Michel Picard starts purchasing some plots. In 1986 the first domain he acquires is Château Davenay which produces Montagny 1er Cru.
Today the estate totals 135 hectares, of which major part is located on the Côte Chalonnaise (100 ha) and Côte de Beaune (35 ha). An entity built up patiently and spread over five spots of the viticultural slope.
“Each domain stays on the production site in order to keep its own identity for the sake of respect of the terroir.” Francine Picard, owner and manager of the family estates, clarifies.
The latter studied in an international trade school and after 3 years in the company NIKE, she settles in Burgundy. She swiftly falls in love for the viticultural world she rediscovers and gets a passion for the domain she takes over the reins of. She is everywhere at the same time with the teams: in the lands, in the vathouse or in the cellar for the tastings.
Francine now manages all the 5 estates as Michel, her father, is henceforth fully busy with his position as the Mayor of Chagny and as the Vice-President of the district planning authority.
An exemplary renovation
It is in 1997 that Michel Picard buys Château de Chassagne-Montrachet. The buildings had a viticultural purpose but were very dilapidated. He undertakes renovation even rebuilding works to enliven again this beautiful mansion which foundations date back XIth century. He equips the estate with a modern vathouse. The cellar with a capacity of 1,000 barrels is restored. Viticultural production is boosted. The domain has some beautiful appellations in Chassagne-Montrachet.
Francine Picard
Oenotourism and Design
In 2003, Francine launches an oenotouristic activity outfitting the tasting cellar with modern and functional facilities, creating a wonderful bright and contemporary space. Then she decides to set up a bed and breakfast. Only 5 rooms but luxury furnished and equipped by Italian designers: Antonio Citterio, Paolo Piva, Emaf Progetti, Emilio Nanni. Here, high tech art is combined with natural shapes and material. Most of the rooms open onto the vineyard surrounding the Château which shape as a U looks like it holds out its arms to the famous hill of Montrachet. Everything has been thought out for the rest and quietness of the visitors. For groups, Château de Chassagne-Montrachet also proposes a table d'hôte to taste the wines of the domain with dishes which flavours are in perfect match with the crus served.
Moreover, each month, the reception rooms offer artists the opportunity to present their works during temporary exhibitions. You find contemporary art or craft in each room of the château.
“We live in the 21st century and I want to keep a place for the present creators” Francine Picard asserts. Even in the vatroom, paintings hang on the walls. Art is displayed in each room and marries happily with the stone walls and with the traditional oak parquet floors.
The rehabilitation of Château de Chassagne -Montrachet is the work of an enthusiast family living in the present and resolutely turned towards the future. It remains a place open to the life of the village. “We offer an ideal reception setting for wine feasts or other events. We welcomed the Saint-Vincent Tournante celebration as well as Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile and native from Chassagne-Montrachet, when she came in Burgundy. Our site is a marvellous surrounding for such events” Francine Picard continues.
A beautiful expression of the terroir
But above all Château de Chassagne-Montrachet remains a viticultural estate where Francine Picard invests herself every day and manages the teams. “We are entering more actively in a sustainable development approach, especially biodynamic treatments on 5 hectares. I believe in it, it is a question of ethics, she explains. Work in organic farming is a good selling point but that is not our goal. Preserve the soils, the ground, and the vines; reduce treatment products to the minimum; put into practice our elders' common sense: that is our philosophy! It is an everyday work, an approach led with the whole team, from the oenologist to the pieceworker. Everyone has to be involved for an optimum result. The essential point is not to get a certification but to keep an everyday reasoning and an attitude of respect of the ground and the vines. Our heritage needs all our care to be preserved and transmitted to future generations. The quality of our wines today is a wonderful reward for the work fulfilled and an encouragement to go further that way.”
Le caveau de dégustation-vente A new oenologist, Fabrice Lesne, joined the domain. He seeks to enhance even more the quality of the wines endeavouring to respect the terroirs. Each Cru has to keep its typicity:
“Our vinifications are not interventionist. Our red wines reveal an elegant Pinot Noir without excessive concentration, and our white wines, with pleasurable freshness, are a beautiful expression of terroirs where the Chardonnay works wonders. We pick the grapes at good maturity, thus giving more harmonious, suppler wines, he specifies. The quality approach is our main line.” A recent tasting of the vintages 2009 and 2010 proves a noticeable change. Wines are finer, more elegant and each appellation keeps its peculiar characteristics. The improvement is marked: the Pinot Noir and the Chardonnay reveal themselves in their most beautiful expressions.
Yolande Coent-Margerit
Une chambre d'hôtesDomaines & Maison Michel Picard
Château de Chassagne-Montrachet
5 rue du Château
21190 Chassagne-Montrachet
Tél: +33 3 80 21 98 57
Fax: +33 3 80 21 98 56
www.michelpicard.com 
