Jean-Paul et Benoît Droin

The Droin family has been making wine in Chablis for more than 400 years. This makes it one of the region’s oldest winemakers. The estate is now managed by the 14th generation in the person of Benoit Droin. His father Jean-Paul put the family business on the map and worked at the domaine from the age of 14. He had a major role in replanting the vineyards and buying a number of caves in the centre of Chablis. After his retirement in 2014, son Benoit put his own stamp on the domaine by using less new oak, for example. Benoit believes that the best wines cannot be made in new oak barrels. In this, incidentally, he is not alone. Many producers swear by using older barrels.

In total, the family has 13 hectares of vineyards and produces 5 Grand Crus, of which Les Clos is the most impressive. They also make 7 Premier Crus. Benoit’s large modern winery is a cutting-edge operation. Besides reducing the use of oak barrels, the pruning system has been modified. Yields have also been significantly reduced. Droin works with respect for the terroir. For example, Petit Chablis, Chablis, Premier Cru’s Vaucoupin and Côte de Lechet, and Grand Cru Blanchots are fully fermented and aged in a tank. But Fourchaume, Grenouilles and Les Clos get only 50 per cent fermentation and maturation in barrel. Up to 10 per cent new oak is used in the Grands Cru.

Vaillons is Benoit Droin’s largest and most famous premier cru. This has floral notes and a subtle seaweed and menthol character. His Grand Cru Les Clos Droin is spicy and smoky with hints of white peach and a very sharp character. Benoit manages to bring out the crisp minerality of Chardonnay in each of his wines.