Owner/ Winemaker Yannik Pacquet was our host.
Situated in the heart of the charming little village of Fuissé, Domaine de Fussiacus has since its creation in 1989 been a producer of top Pouilly-Fuissé wines. Owner Jean-Paul Paquet, son of a winemaker, grandson of a cooper, succeeded his father on an 8 acres domaine in 1978. Over the next 10 years he increased the vineyard surface and made different acquisitions to create Domaine de Fussiacus, named after the Roman lord who founded the village of Fuissé.
In 2005, Yannick, Jean Paul’s son, who had just finished his studies in viticulture and oenology, started to work too in the domaine. Its vineyards are spread over small hills exposes East, South-East, with an average altitude of 250 meters. The only grape variety is Chardonnay. All wines are produced in order to protect the environment, by using techniques from organic farming, hand-picking, pneumatic pressing, temperature control, and no yeast addition. Everything is done to obtain a wine as natural as possible. Jean Paul Paquet crafts Mâconnais’ wines with tremendous character and wonderful intensity of pure fruit, undergoing barrel ageing to add roundness and a slight spicy touch. His wines provide a great introduction to the charm of Mâconnais whites.
Our (Jean-Paul Paquet's) Story
Jean-Paul Paquet: Our story starts with my grandfather, a winegrower and cooper. In 1955, my parents Jean and Germaine left their native Bresse and crossed the Saône to try their luck in the Macon region, in the southern Burgundy region. They started work as vineyard employees in the little village of Fuissé, wich nestles at the heart of Pouilly-Fuissé vineyard country. In 1959 they started tenant farming, finally settling in 1971 in a small 3-hectare domaine that was, at the time, owned by an engineer from Lyon. The domaine was called LES VIEUX MURS.
For as long as I can remember, vines have been part of the fabric of my world. On Thursdays, I used to join my father amongst the vines. I loved the grape harvests. In 1978 I was 20 and when my father died, I took over from him. I was married in 1980 and we've been lucky enough to have 3 children - 2 girls and a boy. Along with my wife Monique, we set up the Domaine de FUSSIACUS in 1989 followed by our 2003 purchase of Domaine des GRANGES, formerly of CHATEAU DE CHAINTRÉ. We re-named it in 2009.
I am proud that I have passed my passion for wine and the vine to our son Yannick. He joined the family business in September 2005 having already completed his studies in viticulture and oenology.
Domaine de Fussiacus
Jean-Paul Paquet: Monique and I set up this Domaine in 1989. It bears the name of FUSSIACUS in homage to the Roman emperor of the same name who made the village his home during the Roman Empire. FUSSIACUS is thought to be the founder of the village of Fuissé.
The Domaine sits in FUISSÉ, at the heart of the POUILLY-FUISSÉ appellation. Our vines stretch over gentle East-South-East facing hills, between 200 and 300 metres high. Our sole grape variety is CHARDONNAY.
Today, the Domaine boasts 8 hectares of vines :
- 3.5 hectares of old POUILLY-FUISSÉ vines
- 2.5 hectares of MÂCON-FUISSÉ
- 0.5 hectare of POUILLY-VINZELLES
- 1.5 hectares of SAINT-VÉRAN
Domaine de Chaintré
Jean-Paul Paquet: In preparation for our son Yannick joining the business, we decided to increase the size of our vineyard. The perfect opportunity to do so arose in 2003 when we purchased this Domaine in Chaintré, in the old vineyard of Château de Chaintré, and comprises 6 hectares that produce Macon-Chaintre and Bourgogne-Chardonnay. Each of these is the product of our single variety, Chardonnay.
The story of the Chateau starts at the begining of the 12th century. Then, it belonged to the Seigneurie des Chaintré, one of the oldest families in the Macon region. Today it is private property and divided into several flats.
Domaine Les Vieux Murs
Jean-Paul Paquet: I started to work on this Domaine in 1978.
Then, the Domaine had 3 hectares of POUILLY-FUISSÉ. Today it has 4, in the best soils that the village of FUISSÉ can offer.
We told tradition very highly. Grape harvesting is still manual and our wines are always matured in 30 year old wooden casks. We believe this lends our wines the best of the flavours of our lands.
In the Vineyard
Jean-Paul Paquet: Passion alone isn't enough. Know-how grows over the course of seasons and vintages. We try to use our know-how every day in growing our vines and in making our wines. Through really watching and listening, as well as through a great deal of patience, I've managed to make the most of exceptional lands boasted by southern Bourgogne region. Our overall respect for these unique lands means we are able to produce authentic, finessed, elegant wines.
In the Cellar
Jean-Paul Paquet: Work in the cellars is the logical partner to work on the vines. It is not enough to simply respect the land, the grape itself also deserves respect.
Our grape harvests are entirely manual, allowing us fastidious attention to detail. We only select the healthiest, most mature grapes from each vine-plant. To undertake such detailed work, we emply some 25 to 30 people for a fortnight each year.
The grapes are forwarded in stanless steel tubs, until they reach a conveyor belt that gently moves the whole harvest into the pneumatic press. Gentle, moderate pressing allows for maximum juice extraction whilst respecting the grape.
After the pressing stage, the extracted juice is placed in stainless steel tanks for 24 hours of racking. The clear juice that is produced is then placed directly into barrels (Pouilly-Fuissé Vieilles Vignes) or in thermo regulated wooden tuns or tanks.
Alcoholic fermentation takes place slowly at 18° using the grape"s naturally occuring yeasts. This method ensures the preservation of all the natural aromas, best expressing the beauty of our lands. Malolactic fermentation, systematically researched, naturally follows this stage.
Lees aging is done slowly, for 6-8 months for Mâcon, St Véran, Pouilly-Vinzelles and Pouilly-Fuissé varieties, and up to 12 months for Pouilly-Fuissé Vieilles Vignes. Next is filtration, blendind and finally bottling, which is all done in-house.
We move heaven and earth to ensure our wines are as natural as possible. Our hard work, as well as our passion, aims simply to produce the highest-quality wines that keep our clients happy.
Tasting
At the end of the cellar tour, Yannick invited us for a tasting of his wines.
The Wines Yannik Pacquet Poured
Yannik Pacquet produces the following wines. We tasted almost all of them.
Château de Chaintré
Mâcon-Chaintré
Bourgogne-Chardonnay
Pouilly-fuissé
Domaine de Fussiacus
Mâcon-Fuissé
Saint-Véran
Pouilly-Vinzelles
Pouilly-Fuissé "Vieilles Vignes"
Pouilly-Fuissé Vers Cras
Domaine Les Vieux Murs
Pouilly-Fuissé
Bye-bye
Thanks Yannik for a wonderful tour and tasting.
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