Immersed in the heart of Bourgogne, where tradition dances with the vibrant spirit of contemporary winemaking, the annual “Portes Ouvertes” weekends unfurl in select villages along the Cote de Beaune. These celebrations pay homage to the distinctiveness of each village, offering a chance to steep oneself in local culture and taste the latest vintages. This is the story of how I discovered Domaine Philippe et Arnaud Dubreuil in Savigny-les-Beaune.
See more “Things to do in Beaune“ in a previous post.
In the less heralded villages, winemakers throw open their doors for a weekend, presenting the unique terroir of their village plots. It’s a moment to connect with the locals, a time to indulge in regional delights like escargot, jambon persillé, and cheese. For me, these “Portes Ouvertes” have evolved into an annual tradition, especially in Monthelie, Auxey-duresses, and Savigny-les-Beaune. It’s an opportunity to unleash my inner wine nerd, engaging in discussions about the nuances of specific plots and attempting to discern differences in winemaking—also, inevitably, a time to acquire more wine that I have no more room for in my cave.
It was during one such event in 2021 that I had the pleasure of meeting Arnaud Dubreuil in Savigny-lès-Beaune. Pouring his 2020 wines behind a makeshift barrel counter, Arnard presented wines of exceptional quality—vibrant, juicy, and a revelation to my palate. I fell in love with the small family domain in Savigny-les-Beaune that sunny afternoon.
I distinctly remember chronicling that evening in my journal, attributing Arnard’s 2020 wines to a redemptive force against the challenges of the year—a subtle nod to the tribulations posed by the pandemic. These wines weren’t anxious; they were powerful and structured, all while retaining the inherent elegance of Pinot Noir.
In that same transformative year, I embarked on a collaboration with Murielle Claudel Wines. The decision to include Domaine Philippe et Arnaud Dubreuil wines in her developing Bourgogne portfolio felt like a natural progression. Murielle and I visited the winery, eager to unravel the stories woven into each plot.
The Bourgogne landscapes unfold a narrative that spans centuries, with each climat bearing a name deeply rooted in history. During my Bourgogne Master-Level studies, I found myself distracted by delving into the origins of plot names—an exploration where religious references and literal meanings coexist. Arnaud shared insights that books couldn’t provide, revealing the monks’ practice of naming their lands, such as the “Laviere” premier cru in the Debreuil cabott location, named for its abnormally large limestone rocks scattered throughout.
The “Premier cru Les Serpentières’ ‘ derives its name from the small snake-like streams of rainfall that form in the fall and spring, adding a poetic touch to the terroir. Arnaud, with meticulous care, guided me through the nuances of each distinct climat, offering barrel samples that became a pivotal moment, solidifying my love for the complexities of Bourgogne. Their family vines stretch across Savigny-les-Beaune, Beaune, Haute-Cote, Chorey-les-Beaune, and Grand Cru on the hill of Aloxe-Corton.
In the year 2023, I revisited their estate to photograph the harvest—a golden opportunity to visually document the intricate process and eagerly ask more questions. The wines undergo barrel aging for a minimum of ten months. He makes the decision to either de-stem or employ whole cluster fermentation based on the personality of the vintage.
It was in the late 1940s, that under the vision of Paul DUBREUIL their story began. A pivotal chapter starts when Philippe, one of his sons, establishes his own presence in the heart of the village in 1973. In 1989, following Paul’s sudden passing, the family two domains merged. The estate gradually expanded from 10 hectares in 2010 to its current 12.5 hectares with a notable addition of the Corton Blanc Grand Cru “Les Grandes Lolières”.
Today, I take pride in sharing this experience with my readers and these exceptional wines with importers. The wines of Domaine Philippe et Arnaud Dubreuil unfold a terroir-rich journey, from the enchanting charm of Savigny village and Haute-Cotes to the exquisite Corton Grand Cru whites.
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