THE DOMAINE

Bitouzet-Prieur: a compound name representing the union of two winegrowing families:
- Bitouzet on the father's side, native to Volnay
- Prieur de Meursault on the mother's side, for the white wines

François Bitouzet-Prieur, representing the 6th generation of winegrowers, joined the family domaine in 2005 and took over its management in 2012; He seeks to preserve this valuable duality across 13 hectares of vines.

François is fortunate to be able to cultivate an extraordinary set of vineyard plots, which he is responsible for preserving. François' father, Vincent Bitouzet, gave up the use of weedkillers and other products harmful to soil life from the 94-95 vintage, reverting to mechanical maintenance of the soil using hoeing and ploughing, supplemented by the application of organic matter in the form of compost. This approach was continued by François who carried out several organic growing trials from 2009 onwards and started using them throughout the domaine in 2013, resulting in organic certification for his 2023 vintage.

Today, with the vineyards being replanted and in the quest to gain an even better understanding of these exceptional terroirs, François Bitouzet-Prieur is carefully studying the properties of the soil and subsoil, with the help of soil experts and geologists. Before grubbing up any vines, he will select the highest-quality vines for grafting and then planting in the new plots.

FROM THE VINE… TO THE WINE

If you want to make an outstanding wine, every detail is important. The date of the harvest, which is carried out by hand, is also an important factor.

"It's the vine that produces the grape, so you have to choose the right moment to separate the fruit from the plant that has nurtured and grown it.”

For both his white and red wines, François Bitouzet-Prieur strives to transcribe the identity and qualities of a place of origin in each of his wines. He seeks to bring out the nuances of the climats through his wines and not impose his own style.

François likes to compare himself to a conductor who has a score to play, the score being the terroir. He likes to stick as close as possible to the original score and respect the composer’s work. The place of origin is the DNA of each wine - it gives birth to, rather than creates, the wine.

"It’s a pleasure to listen to a Beethoven or Mozart sonata, and one should have the same pleasure drinking a glass of Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur wine".

In 2020, a carefully planned vat room was built to provide the ideal environment for these exceptional wines. No detail has been left to chance in this project, from the arrival of the grapes to the final wine.

THE VOLNAY APPELLATION

The prestigious Volnay appellation, which produces red wines exclusively from the Pinot Noir grape variety, includes 29 climats classified as premier cru. In addition to the Volnay Village cuvée, Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur is fortunate to work vines in 6 Volnay Premier Cru lieux-dits, including:
- Les Aussy
- Taillepieds
- Pitures
- Clos des Chênes
- Caillerets

ADRESSE

19, rue de la Combe
21190 VOLNAY

THE DOMAINE

Bitouzet-Prieur: a compound name representing the union of two winegrowing families:
- Bitouzet on the father's side, native to Volnay
- Prieur de Meursault on the mother's side, for the white wines

François Bitouzet-Prieur, representing the 6th generation of winegrowers, joined the family domaine in 2005 and took over its management in 2012; He seeks to preserve this valuable duality across 13 hectares of vines.

François is fortunate to be able to cultivate an extraordinary set of vineyard plots, which he is responsible for preserving. François' father, Vincent Bitouzet, gave up the use of weedkillers and other products harmful to soil life from the 94-95 vintage, reverting to mechanical maintenance of the soil using hoeing and ploughing, supplemented by the application of organic matter in the form of compost. This approach was continued by François who carried out several organic growing trials from 2009 onwards and started using them throughout the domaine in 2013, resulting in organic certification for his 2023 vintage.

Today, with the vineyards being replanted and in the quest to gain an even better understanding of these exceptional terroirs, François Bitouzet-Prieur is carefully studying the properties of the soil and subsoil, with the help of soil experts and geologists. Before grubbing up any vines, he will select the highest-quality vines for grafting and then planting in the new plots.

FROM THE VINE… TO THE WINE

If you want to make an outstanding wine, every detail is important. The date of the harvest, which is carried out by hand, is also an important factor.

"It's the vine that produces the grape, so you have to choose the right moment to separate the fruit from the plant that has nurtured and grown it.”

For both his white and red wines, François Bitouzet-Prieur strives to transcribe the identity and qualities of a place of origin in each of his wines. He seeks to bring out the nuances of the climats through his wines and not impose his own style.

François likes to compare himself to a conductor who has a score to play, the score being the terroir. He likes to stick as close as possible to the original score and respect the composer’s work. The place of origin is the DNA of each wine - it gives birth to, rather than creates, the wine.

"It’s a pleasure to listen to a Beethoven or Mozart sonata, and one should have the same pleasure drinking a glass of Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur wine".

In 2020, a carefully planned vat room was built to provide the ideal environment for these exceptional wines. No detail has been left to chance in this project, from the arrival of the grapes to the final wine.

THE VOLNAY APPELLATION

The prestigious Volnay appellation, which produces red wines exclusively from the Pinot Noir grape variety, includes 29 climats classified as premier cru. In addition to the Volnay Village cuvée, Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur is fortunate to work vines in 6 Volnay Premier Cru lieux-dits, including:
- Les Aussy
- Taillepieds
- Pitures
- Clos des Chênes
- Caillerets

ADRESSE

19, rue de la Combe
21190 VOLNAY