Domaine Rossignol-Fevrier

Domaine Rossignol-Février: A Legacy of Precision and Biodynamics

Domaine Rossignol-Février is a family estate that has been cultivating the vineyards of the Côte de Beaune for five generations. Established in the heart of Volnay, the estate’s history dates back over a century. Since 1920, they have been estate-bottling wines from their family vineyards, building a reputation for excellence and dedication to terroir.

Today, Frédéric Rossignol (4th generation) and his son Valentin manage the estate, carrying on their family’s winemaking tradition with a focus on micro-vinification and biodynamic principles. Frédéric has been farming 7.5 hectares biodynamically since 2009, with Demeter certification to validate his practices.

A Deep Commitment to Biodynamics

With vineyards planted at a density of 10,000 vines per hectare and an average vine age of 40 years, the Rossignol family ensures their vines are cultivated with care and respect for the land. The selection of plant material comes from the best existing vines, using selection massale to propagate new vines when necessary. Biodynamic cultivation includes regular soil work and the use of special preparations to enhance vine health and prevent cryptogamic diseases.

Yields are carefully managed, averaging 35 to 40 hectoliters per hectare, with each vine limited to around eight bunches of grapes. This allows for even ripening and ensures that the unique characteristics of each terroir are fully expressed in the wines. However, hailstorms from 2011 to 2014 and frost in 2016 have drastically reduced the estate’s production, limiting the availability of their wines.

Harvest and Winemaking Practices

The harvest takes place over a 4 to 8 day period, depending on the vintage and grape quantities. The estate relies on a team of 20 to 25 experienced pickers, many of whom are long-time regulars—often clients and customers—returning each year for the camaraderie and the tradition of the fête de vendange harvest party. This expertise ensures that only the healthiest grapes are harvested, with damaged fruit left behind in the vineyard. A final selection occurs on a vibrating sorting table before the grapes are transferred to vats for fermentation.

For the white wines, whole clusters are pressed in a pneumatic press before being chilled for débourbage (settling of the gross lees) in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The must is then drained into standard Burgundy barrels, a mix of 20% new oak and previously-used barrels up to five years old. Fermentation proceeds slowly in the estate’s cold cellars, and malolactic fermentation typically completes by the spring following the harvest. The wines are lightly filtered and bottled after racking and blending, typically before the next harvest. Minimal sulfur dioxide (no more than 5cl per barrel) is added to stabilize the wines and prevent bacterial spoilage.

For the red wines, the grapes are mostly destemmed before being placed in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats for primary fermentation. In exceptional vintages, some whole clusters are added for extra structure and complexity. The tannic structure is carefully managed through frequent tastings and occasional pigeage (punching down of the cap) rather than pumping-over. After 18 to 24 days of cuvaison, the wine is aged in barrels with an average of 20% new oak, depending on the appellation and quality of the vintage. After malolactic fermentation, the reds are racked and assembled two months prior to bottling, which takes place after 10 to 15 months in barrels. The goal is always to achieve a fine balance of fruit, acidity, and tannic structure while preserving the purity of each terroir. The red wines are bottled without filtration to maintain their energy and vibrancy.

Challenges and Perseverance

Frédéric Rossignol’s commitment to biodynamic principles is unwavering, despite the challenges of hail, rot, mildew, and oidium that have significantly impacted yields in recent years. “One must work in balance with what nature gives us each vintage,” says Frédéric, who is passionate about letting each lieu-dit (vineyard site) express its unique character.

With vineyards in Meursault, Volnay, Pommard, and Beaune, and a portfolio of 16 different appellations, the wines from Domaine Rossignol-Février reflect precision, care, and a profound respect for the land. Each cuvée is a testament to the family’s dedication to letting the terroir speak through their wines, allowing the specificities of each site to shine through.