The history of this domaine began in 1987 when the owner, Olivier Meurlan, who learned winemaking in the Jura and California, purchased and inherited the historic 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 its steeply sloping fields are characterized by strong winds. 95% of producers in the Macon region spray herbicides and harvest by hand, but Meurlan has never used chemical fertilizers or herbicides since the beginning and has frequently tilled the fields. It is one of the few domaines that selects healthy grapes that are fully ripe and harvests 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 prevent damage before fermentation, and the fruit is quickly placed in the fermentation tank for fermentation after being reselected on a selection table. Chardonnay is fully fermented, 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 his wines by hand and painstakingly, has confirmed his position as a leader among high-quality wineries in the Maconnais region. Olivier, who knows the area well long before winemakers from the Cote d'Or entered the Maconnais region, has seen many aspiring winemakers, including Raphael, the fourth generation owner of Domaine Coche-Dury, come as trainees. In addition, Master of Wine Jasper Morris has introduced Olivier as one of the best winemakers representing the Maconnais region. In 2012, he also established a new winery, Chateau des Cars, with Dominique, the owner of Comte Lafon, the top domaine in Meursault. His two sons, Theo and Paul, have now joined the domaine, and expectations are high for further improvements in quality in the future.
[The unique character of the Mâcon region, according to Domaine Merlant]
● Mâcon-La Roche-Vineuse
...Minerality, saltiness, freshness
●Pouilly-Fuissé
...Long aftertaste, powerful, long-term aging type
●Saint-Veran
...Feminine, smooth, fruity