Different plots of LaRoche-Vineuse and Chaintré. Clay-limestone soil. Stainless steel fermentation, 100% MLF, 16 months aging, no fining agents. The history of this domaine began in 1987 when the owner Olivier Meurlan, who studied winemaking in Jura and California, purchased and inherited the historic Domaine "Domaine des Vieux Saint-Sorlin" in the Macon region, which has been in operation since the Middle Ages. The Macon region is higher in altitude than the Cote d'Or, and the fields on the steep slopes are characterized by strong winds. In the Macon region, 95% of producers spray herbicides and harvest mechanically, but Meurlan is one of the few Domaines that has never used chemical fertilizers or herbicides from the beginning to the present, frequently tilling the fields, selecting healthy grapes that are fully ripe, and harvesting them by hand. Grapes grown on windy slopes are less likely to attract pests, so there is no need to spray pesticides. The grapes are harvested in small boxes to avoid damaging them before fermentation, and then quickly put into tanks for fermentation after being sorted again on a selection table. Chardonnay is whole-cluster pressed, Pinot Noir is 100% destemmed (Gamay is whole-cluster fermented). Full malolactic fermentation, no collage, no filtering or minimal filtering before bottling. Olivier, who makes wines by hand, has established himself as a leader among high-quality wineries in the Maconnais region. Olivier, who knows the area well long before the winemakers of the Côte d'Or entered the Maconnais region, has been the trainee of many winemakers, including Raphael, the fourth generation owner of Domaine Coche-Dury. Master of Wine Jasper Morris also introduces Olivier as one of the best winemakers representing the Maconnais region. In 2012, he established a new winery, Chateau des Cars, together with Mr. Dominique, the owner of the top Meursault domaine Comte Lafon. His two sons, Theo and Paul, are now also involved in the domaine, and expectations are high for further improvements in quality. [About the establishment of Premier Cru in Pouilly-Fuisse]
In 2020, INAO created the Premier Cru of Pouilly-Fuisse for the first time.
Of the total 800 hectares of Pouilly-Fuissé, 190 hectares and 22 climats are approved.
At Merlan, five vineyards have been promoted to Premier Cru: Soules-la-Roche and Clos de France in the northern Vergisson area, Au Vigneres in the Solutre-Pouilly area in the central north, and Clos des Carles and Chevrières in the southern Chantres area. Starting with the 2020 vintage, five types of wine have been promoted to Premier Cru.