2023 Agnés Paquet Auxey Duresses Blanc "Les Hoz", Burgundy, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

Organic production from a 12 acre south facing contiguous vineyard in Auxey Duresses. Planted 90 years ago in both chardonnay and pinot noir, this is the original vineyard from Agnes' family domain. Agnes is in the process of using the plants from this vineyard to reproduce vines by 'selection massale' for all of her other vineyards. Oak fermentation and aging. 10% new oak. And then a 3 month assemblage in tank before bottling without filtration. Deep soil, limestone dominant, this is a classic white from the Cote de Beaune in the style of lean, steely Meursault.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Agnès Paquet is a first-generation winemaker in Burgundy whose family had owned vineyards near Beaune since the 1950s but had always leased the land to other producers. Originally studying business, Agnès never planned to make wine herself until an internship at a California cooperage sparked a deeper fascination with the industry. When her parents considered selling the family vineyards in the mid-1990s, she realized how fortunate they were to own land in Burgundy and decided to pursue winemaking instead. She returned to school to study viticulture and enology, despite having little practical vineyard experience and no family background in wine production.

Starting her domaine was far from easy. Agnès had to reclaim vineyards from long-term renters while navigating Burgundy’s traditionally male-dominated wine culture as a young woman without established winemaking connections. She often felt isolated and underestimated, though she found mentorship and encouragement from Jean-Pierre Charlot of Domaine Joseph Voillot, whom she considers her enology teacher. Through persistence, trial and error, and determination, she established herself as a respected vigneronne during a period when Burgundy was far less welcoming to outsiders.

Today, Agnès reflects on how much the region has evolved, noting that Burgundy has become more open to aspiring winemakers from nontraditional backgrounds. Her passion for wine ultimately grew from tasting and discussing bottles with close friends during business school—an interest that unexpectedly shaped the course of her life and led her to create one of Burgundy’s admired independent domaines.