Lucien Thomas
Lucien Thomas is not the man to settle for second-best
Inherited know-how since 1934
The domaine occupies an exceptional site, shaped like an amphitheatre with nearly all the vines growing in an arc around the buildings (family home and working structures). In addition there are views of the precipitous Rock of Solutré and Vergisson, iconic landmarks in the Mâconnais district of southern Burgundy.
Located at Prissé in Saône-et-Loire, the Domaine de la Feuillarde has been run for the last 35 years by Lucien Thomas who took over from his father and grandfather before him, going back to 1934. Lucien brings to the job rigorous working methods, aimed at perfection. “I know exactly the kind of quality I want to produce and the work calls for a draconian approach.” He also brings a new eye to the task, having studied business studies before working for 15 years in agriculture.
Over the last 35 years the domaine has grown in size from 10 to 20 hectares under vines. Working methods in the vineyards have profoundly changed and are aimed at lower yields. Today the Feuillarde domaine is a certified HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale).
Lucien Thomas has made a selection of the best plots and currently magnificent Saint-Véran wines, pure and perfectly balanced. Not to mention his Pouilly-Fuissé which is notable for the its generous and mineral expression.
THE DOMAINE
Today there are 20 hectares under vines (18 ha at Prissé and 2 ha at Vergisson, from which comes the Pouilly-Fuissé. The Saint-Véran "Prestige" and "Vieilles Vignes" are picked by hand, as is the Pouilly-Fuissé. Respect for the environment here means what it says: the domaine is certified for low-input cultivation and HVE.
Must settling and racking (débourbage) are important. They conserve the aromatic purity which derives from the combination of terroir and the Chardonnay grape. Fermentation is temperature-controlled.
"I like wines that are clean-cut, pure, leaning towards minerality, but with fruit and flower notes and even some fatness."
Though it does produce red wines, the domaine is best known for its whites: Saint-Véran and Pouilly-Fuissé, of which Lucien Thomas produce a range of cuvées.
And he knows exactly what he wants to achieve: precise, fruit-driven wines with a note of minerality which will bring out the qualities both of their terroir and of the Chardonnay grape.
His Saint-Véran “Tradition” is matured in vat, as is the Saint-Véran "Vieilles Vignes" (vines 80 years old). Up to 50% of the Saint-Véran “Prestige” is matured in barrel.
The result is wines with a family resemblance but each one different. The first is fresh and floral while the others are more mineral and firmer in the mouth. The Pouilly-Fuissé, born of exceptional terroirs, makes a powerfully mineral impression and can be laid down for ten years or so.
ADRESSE
Lieu-dit "La Feuillarde"
71960 PRISSE
Lucien Thomas
Lucien Thomas is not the man to settle for second-best
Inherited know-how since 1934
The domaine occupies an exceptional site, shaped like an amphitheatre with nearly all the vines growing in an arc around the buildings (family home and working structures). In addition there are views of the precipitous Rock of Solutré and Vergisson, iconic landmarks in the Mâconnais district of southern Burgundy.
Located at Prissé in Saône-et-Loire, the Domaine de la Feuillarde has been run for the last 35 years by Lucien Thomas who took over from his father and grandfather before him, going back to 1934. Lucien brings to the job rigorous working methods, aimed at perfection. “I know exactly the kind of quality I want to produce and the work calls for a draconian approach.” He also brings a new eye to the task, having studied business studies before working for 15 years in agriculture.
Over the last 35 years the domaine has grown in size from 10 to 20 hectares under vines. Working methods in the vineyards have profoundly changed and are aimed at lower yields. Today the Feuillarde domaine is a certified HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale).
Lucien Thomas has made a selection of the best plots and currently magnificent Saint-Véran wines, pure and perfectly balanced. Not to mention his Pouilly-Fuissé which is notable for the its generous and mineral expression.
THE DOMAINE
Today there are 20 hectares under vines (18 ha at Prissé and 2 ha at Vergisson, from which comes the Pouilly-Fuissé. The Saint-Véran "Prestige" and "Vieilles Vignes" are picked by hand, as is the Pouilly-Fuissé. Respect for the environment here means what it says: the domaine is certified for low-input cultivation and HVE.
Must settling and racking (débourbage) are important. They conserve the aromatic purity which derives from the combination of terroir and the Chardonnay grape. Fermentation is temperature-controlled.
"I like wines that are clean-cut, pure, leaning towards minerality, but with fruit and flower notes and even some fatness."
Though it does produce red wines, the domaine is best known for its whites: Saint-Véran and Pouilly-Fuissé, of which Lucien Thomas produce a range of cuvées.
And he knows exactly what he wants to achieve: precise, fruit-driven wines with a note of minerality which will bring out the qualities both of their terroir and of the Chardonnay grape.
His Saint-Véran “Tradition” is matured in vat, as is the Saint-Véran "Vieilles Vignes" (vines 80 years old). Up to 50% of the Saint-Véran “Prestige” is matured in barrel.
The result is wines with a family resemblance but each one different. The first is fresh and floral while the others are more mineral and firmer in the mouth. The Pouilly-Fuissé, born of exceptional terroirs, makes a powerfully mineral impression and can be laid down for ten years or so.
ADRESSE
Lieu-dit "La Feuillarde"
71960 PRISSE