auxey duresse

CHATEAU DE MELIN

ORGANIC WINE

The History of the Château de Melin

 

In the heart of the vineyards, 12 km southwest of Beaune, the tall slate roof towers of the Château overlook the hamlet bearing the same name: Melin.

Built in 1551 by the Rozereau family, the Château de Melin was later bought by Brunet Monthelie, who in the late XVIIth Century expanded the Château notably by building a second edifice opposite the first, flanked by wings set at right angles thus connecting the two buildings. The three rectangular buildings, each featuring a tower stairwell, create a “horseshoe” shape surrounding the square courtyard.

In 1960, the Parish of Aubervilliers became the owner of the Château and Father Castle Lecoeur revived the premises every summer as a holiday camp for approximately a hundred children with sports and activities.

It was in 1999 that the property was acquired by its present owners, Hélène and Arnaud Derats, who undertook the complete restoration of the Château. During this same period, they acquired the family winery, which includes 22 hectares of vineyards located in Côtes de Beaune and Côtes de Nuit regions.

 

Different wines of Château de Melin

Since the French Revolution, six generations of family winemakers have continued in succession.

In 2000, Arnaud Derats educated as an Engineer and following a 10-year career in the construction industry, was captured by tradition: with his wife Hélène, they bought the Château de Melin, located on the town of Auxey-Duresses, and decided to settle the family estate vineyards.

The Château de Melin currently operates 25 hectares of vineyards and produces 22 appellations: 20 in the Côtes-de-Beaune and 2 in the Côtes-de-Nuits areas.

The vinification process , the aging and bottling of the wines is accomplished in their cellars at the Château.

Organic Farming

 

For a wine to be of good quality it is essential to respect the vine and its environment. Only then will vines fully assimilate and reveal the specific qualities of its surrounding soil through its grapes.

This is why in 2009, after several years of viticulture, they have chosen to convert the fields to organic farming.

With this method to cultivate their vineyards they respect the environment and their plants and therefore do not use pesticides, herbicides, nor chemicals. Alternatively they organic farming entails soil cultivation thru plowing, grass cutting and exclusive use of natural sulphur and copper as treatment against diseases on the vines.

The ultimate goal is to obtain good quality grapes, evoking the best the Burgundy soil has to offer.

Several times a year, their farming practices are monitored by an independent certification body: Ecocert.

 

Enjoy the benefits