Louis Michel & Fils
France, ChablisBased in the Chablis region since 1850, the Michel family make elegant wines, some of which are highly sought after by connoisseurs. The estate has 25 hectares of vineyards with the majority planted in grand cru and premier cru. The vineyards are on prime plots on the slopes of Chablis first cultivated by Cistercian monks in the eleventh century. More than 40 years ago the Michel family made the bold decision to abandon barrel aging to produce pure, clean and crisp Chablis wines without any wood. Because of this approach and their sensible viticultural practices the estate’s wines have become a reference for tank aging. Wine is made in the vineyard. Jean-Loup and William Michel always keep this principle in mind when they work the vines. Each plot is maintained so as to ensure sustainability, and yields are limited to optimize the quality of the grapes. Starting the harvest at the right time is also crucial, especially in Chablis, where the fruit retains high acidity. The wines are handled as little as possible during vinification and aging, which can extend up to 18 months for the grand crus, always in stainless steel tanks. Louis Michel wines are pure terroir.