Read William Fèvre

Introduction

Domaine William Fèvre, the largest owner of Grands Crus in Chablis, covers 70 hectares or 90 separate plots in the heart of the Chablis vineyards. For nearly 20 years, the estate has been committed to a strong environmental approach. The first of the Chablis estates to be certified HVE3 certification since 2014, the majority of the vineyard is farmed biodynamically.

The team is committed to working the soil while respecting biodiversity, and we do everything in our power to express the most subtle variations offered by the Kimmeridgian and Chablis soils. The work we do is to accompany, sublimate and not transform what nature and the terroir gives us.

The Vineyard

“The steep, stony slopes to the right and left of the Serein are the cradle of a history that goes back over one hundred and fifty million years. This unique Kimmeridgian terroir, alternating marl and marly limestone, gives Chablis wines their mineral character and immense freshness. It’s an envied characteristic, often imitated but never equalled.

Over the centuries, despite the tragedy of phylloxera at the end of the 19th century, the Chablis vineyards have built up their reputation and strengthened their assets to become one of the great terroirs of Burgundy”.

History

Even with its 250 years of existence, William Fèvre has always been an estatein tune with the times and resolutely forward looking. In 1959, William Fèvre took over the reins of the family estate, giving it a new name and a new impetus. Domaine William Fevre joined the DBR Lafite family in January 2024 where respect for the Chablis terroir remains as much at its heart as it did for William.

The Team

At the heart of Domaine William Fèvre, Didier Séguier embodies an historic figure. As Director, he has not only brought his expertise, but also his intrinsic values, enthusiasm, and innovative vision. Accompanied by François Ménin, Vineyard Manager, and Pascal Reynaud, Cellar Master, Didier has been committed to environmental viticulture since 2000, blending tradition and innovation to express the authenticity of Chablis terroirs.

With this approach, the estate pays meticulous attention to every stage, from vineyard to cellar. In the cellar, the cellar master acts as a conductor, guiding the wines according to the quality standards set by the estate. To preserve freshness and minerality, and to allow the subtle nuances of Chablis terroirs to shine, the estate opts for aged, seasoned barrels instead of new ones, on average 6 years old.

These considerations result in wines that are rich, with a high aromatic purity, maintaining their typicity and revealing the particularities of each vintage.

The Wines

The crus of Chablis are renowned for their unique personality and distinctive minerality. Over and above deeply rooted family values, the estate has succeeded over the years in bringing a new dynamic to its vineyards and wines, using modern technical resources and a resolutely avant-garde vision.

Style alone is nothing: the emotional potential of the estate’s wines lies in their ability to appeal to the senses. And when they do, it’s the terroir that emerges to offer a fresh, mineral emotion, an astonishing movement.

Our Commitment

A forerunner in organic farming practices since 2000 on 50 hectares of the estate, and biodynamic viticulture since 2010 on all the Premiers Crus and Grands Crus, Domaine William Fèvre was the first estate in Chablis to obtain Haute Valeur Environnementale certification in 2014.

This label of excellence, a result of the Grenelle Environment Round Table, is the highest level of environmental certification. It is based on the estate’s overall compliance with environmental performance thresholds as a whole, covering biodiversity, phytosanitary strategy and fertiliser management.

The conversion of the entire Domaine William Fèvre estate to organic farming practices by 2025 is part of this ongoing strong environmental commitment.