Domaine Benjamin Roblot
BRANS OWNER
Benjamin’s grandfather Maurice Roblot owned the best vineyards in the Chambolle village and beyond. When he died in 1980, the vineyards passed to his children, Benjamin’s father and his aunt. Neither of the two siblings was interested in managing the domain and it was decided to lease all the vineyards.
Several years later when Benjamin’s aunt passed away, her children sold her property. When the part of the lease concluded in 1980 was ended in 2006, Benjamin’s father reclaimed the vineyards and began selling grapes to negociants.
During these years, Benjamin Roblot studied as an industrial designer, designing aircraft parts. He became disillusioned with his profession and went to study oenology at the famous Lyceum in Beaune. Back at home in Chambolle, Benjamin was profoundly grateful to his old tenant, who had been tending his vineyard organically for all those years and that partly explains the interest of the negociants. First of all, the novice oenologist faced the question of re-equipping the winery, which required considerable investments.
The loan was not a solution as most small winemakers do, but the sale of the harvest to negociants from a small area of Bonnes Mares Grand Cru — the proceeds were enough to purchase most of the equipment. Soon, Benjamin broke his lease of the remaining areas in Chambolle-Musigny, and also acquired a small area in Haute-Côte-de-Beaune, planting 1.5 hectares of vines there. The vineyards were already ready for organic care, although Benjamin is not yet thinking about certification, developing and promoting his own brand — since 2016 he refused to cooperate with negociants, founded his own Domaine Benjamin Roblot.
Production features
Vertical press, wild yeast. In 2016 and 2017 — 100% whole bunches, 2018 — 50% bunches. Bonnes Mares is still aged in 100% new oak, and Premier Crus — in 50%, there will be a move to 50% and 30%, respectively, with the expansion of the barrels fleet. No filtration, minimal use of sulfur dioxide.
Several years later when Benjamin’s aunt passed away, her children sold her property. When the part of the lease concluded in 1980 was ended in 2006, Benjamin’s father reclaimed the vineyards and began selling grapes to negociants.
During these years, Benjamin Roblot studied as an industrial designer, designing aircraft parts. He became disillusioned with his profession and went to study oenology at the famous Lyceum in Beaune. Back at home in Chambolle, Benjamin was profoundly grateful to his old tenant, who had been tending his vineyard organically for all those years and that partly explains the interest of the negociants. First of all, the novice oenologist faced the question of re-equipping the winery, which required considerable investments.
The loan was not a solution as most small winemakers do, but the sale of the harvest to negociants from a small area of Bonnes Mares Grand Cru — the proceeds were enough to purchase most of the equipment. Soon, Benjamin broke his lease of the remaining areas in Chambolle-Musigny, and also acquired a small area in Haute-Côte-de-Beaune, planting 1.5 hectares of vines there. The vineyards were already ready for organic care, although Benjamin is not yet thinking about certification, developing and promoting his own brand — since 2016 he refused to cooperate with negociants, founded his own Domaine Benjamin Roblot.
Production features
Vertical press, wild yeast. In 2016 and 2017 — 100% whole bunches, 2018 — 50% bunches. Bonnes Mares is still aged in 100% new oak, and Premier Crus — in 50%, there will be a move to 50% and 30%, respectively, with the expansion of the barrels fleet. No filtration, minimal use of sulfur dioxide.
