Originally from Mâcon, Aurélien Revillot developed a true passion for the Bourgueil vineyard. After more than five years working as vineyard manager at Domaine de La Chevalerie, alongside his neighbors, Aurélien, a trained oenologist, decided to dedicate 100% (if not more) of his time to his own estate.
This wine lover now tends to his 3.5 hectares of Cabernet Franc, producing wines of rare elegance and depth within the appellation (and even beyond). His estate spans seven parcels across the Bourgueil (Grand Mont, Brunetières, and Bretêche) and Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil appellations. Aurélien works his vines and wines according to the standards of organic farming and biodynamics, with the goal of offering wines that are pure, vibrant, and alive.
He manages to impart a unique brilliance to his wines, a particular floral character, a smooth texture, and incredibly fine tannins—qualities that are rarely achieved with Loire Valley Cabernet Franc.
In his daily work, Aurélien spares no effort! Quality comes first, often at the expense of convenience. He works part of his vineyard with a horse, prunes as late as possible, and never hesitates when it comes to doing just a little bit more. Each wine expresses the uniqueness of its terroir.
To elevate his wines, the barrels from La Grange Cooperage quickly became an obvious choice for Aurélien. The Cabernet Franc finds a captivating balance in them: maturity and tension intertwine in perfect harmony, allowing the fruit to fully express itself with purity and precision.
Today, after several trials, Aurélien only works with La Grange barrels. The aging of his wines is done with extreme precision. Racking is only done when he is sure that the wines have reached their optimal potential, and even if the schedule must be adjusted, quality always takes priority. The respect for the fruit, the quality of the tannins, and the precision of the toasting offered by the La Grange oak barrels are perfectly aligned with Aurélien Revillot’s philosophy.
It’s always a great pleasure to visit Aurélien’s estate to “taste a few barrels,” discuss an upcoming racking, or a malolactic fermentation that’s taking longer than expected… and to share a glass of Brunetières 2021!
📸 n°2: Christophe Deschanel
