Domaine Heresztyn
There are many family-owned domaines in Gevrey-Chambertin, and although the Heresztyn family name originates from Poland, they have been established in that village for so long that they feel like locals. Today, these wines are released under the collective brand name Heresztyn-Mazzini and are jointly operated by her and her husband, Simon Mazzini, who hails from Champagne.
The 6-hectare vineyard spans three villages in the Côte de Nuits region: Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey-Saint-Denis, and Chambolle-Musigny. Among these, Pinot Noir makes up the majority; it is cultivated organically using biodynamic preparations, and since 2019, cover crops have been sown between the rows of vines. This vineyard places greater emphasis on the health of soil organisms and plants than on winemaking techniques.
Its best-known wines are the 1er Crus Les Goulots from Gevrey and Les Millandes from Morey; it also owns a small vineyard in the Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru.
A Polish name in Gevrey
Heresztyn is not a Burgundian name, and this family has never pretended otherwise. The Polish heritage was passed down to this family through Florence Heresztyn's grandfather; the name took root in Gevrey-Chambertin, and the family has been making wine there ever since.
Florence grew up in that winemaking family. Simon Mazzini was from Champagne, a region with different customs, and the two worked together at the Heresztyn family vineyard for about 10 years before striking out on their own.
This decision dates back to 2012, when Domaine Heresztyn-Mazzini, named after both of them, was established. This decision in no way signified a break with Gevrey. While maintaining the same climat in the Côte de Nuits region of their home village, the couple introduced a new label and viticultural methods that they could design themselves from the very beginning.
Six hectares, three villages
Domaine Heresztyn-Mazzini cultivates a total of 6 hectares of farmland. Most of this land is located in the Gevrey-Chambertin commune.
Beyond Gevrey, the estate owns land in the two villages located directly to the south, Morey-Saint-Denis and Chambolle-Musigny. It spans three communes and numerous individual plots.
Among the named vineyards are Les Goulots, a 1er Cru-rated vineyard located in Gevrey-Chambertin, and Les Millandes, a 1er Cru-rated vineyard located in Morey-Saint-Denis. It also includes a portion of Clos Saint Denis, which is one of the Grand Crus plots belonging to Morey. These are small vineyards with excellent terroir.
The terroir
Since 2019, Florence Heresztyn and Simon Mazzini have been planting crops with no intention of harvesting them. Grains, fava beans, cruciferous vegetables, and other species are planted between the rows as cover crops, and the spaces between the rows are left to grow wild with grass.
Two reasons are given for this practice. One is chemical: the planted crops help the grapevines absorb potassium already present in the soil. The other relates to the vineyard's carbon balance, which the vineyard aims to keep as low as possible.
Global warming is the underlying factor. Domaine Heresztyn-Mazzini speaks quite candidly about applying organic and biodynamic principles, stating that their purpose is not merely an abstract philosophy but also to help the vines adapt to an increasingly hot Côte de Nuits environment.
Discussions about soil organisms are a constant topic in conversations with neighboring growers. This winery describes contact with living plants as the starting point for everything and refers to the grape cluster itself as the memory of the wine.
Pinot Noir first, then the whites
Côte de Nuits is a red wine-producing region, and Domaine Heresztyn-Mazzini also fits that description. Pinot Noir accounts for most of the estate, including all the named crus.
- Pinot Noir: The backbone spanning Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey-Saint-Denis, and Chambolle-Musigny
- Chardonnay: Produced in small volumes
- Aligoté: Bottled as Bourgogne under the name Queue de Hareng
The winemaking
Domaine Heresztyn-Mazzini has received organic certification through the French AB label, which complies with EU organic regulations. This is merely a basic requirement, it is not the whole story.
In addition, this winery uses biodynamic preparations, including the horn manure preparation known as 500 and the yarrow preparation known as 502. Phytotherapy is also part of the process, with plant extracts used to care for the vines. The timing of work in the vineyards and cellars is often determined by the lunar calendar.
Artificial intervention is kept to a minimum. Florence Heresztyn and Simon Mazzini describe this approach as helping the plants maintain optimal health so they can reach their full potential, and then stepping back to let nature take its course. Decisions vary depending on the vintage and weather, and they emphasize this flexibility rather than advocating a fixed method.
As a result, the wine in the glass is generally described as bright and lively rather than heavy. It is characterized by a small-scale domaine, limited production, and handcrafted methods.
From Aligoté to Clos Saint Denis
At the top of the Domaine Heresztyn-Mazzini lineup are three wines, all of which are produced in the Côte de Nuits villages where the couple farms their vineyards.
- Gevrey Chambertin Les Goulots 1er Cru
- Morey-Saint-Denis Les Millandes 1er Cru
- Clos Saint Denis Grand Cru
Clos Saint Denis corresponds to Grand Cru in this set and is produced in Morey-Saint-Denis. Les Millandes is a 1er Cru located in the same commune, while Les Goulots is a 1er Cru from Gevrey-Chambertin, the village where this winery is located.
These are not the only wines produced here. The product lineup also includes village-level and regional-level wines: Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Bourgogne Aligoté Queue de Hareng, and Bourgogne released under the name Champ Franc, and Côte de Nuits-Villages, Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes, and Bourgogne Aligoté Queue de Hareng; in the Gevrey region, there are Clos Village and the cuvée Vieilles Vignes Les Songes.
Since the 6-hectare vineyard is divided into so many different plots, the production volume of each wine is very low. This is the typical reality of Côte de Nuits.
Frequently asked questions
Is Domaine Heresztyn the same as Domaine Heresztyn-Mazzini?
The wines are made by Florence Heresztyn and Simon Mazzini under the joint name Heresztyn-Mazzini. Florence comes from the Heresztyn winemaking family of Gevrey-Chambertin, where she and Simon worked for around ten years before starting the domaine under both names.
Where is the estate based?
In Gevrey-Chambertin, in the Côte de Nuits. Most of its vines are in that commune, with the rest in Morey-Saint-Denis and Chambolle-Musigny.
Is the domaine certified organic or biodynamic?
It holds the French AB organic certification. Biodynamic preparations are used as well, though the estate presents that as an ongoing direction rather than a finished label.
Which is the top wine?
Clos Saint Denis Grand Cru, from a small parcel in Morey-Saint-Denis, sits above the 1er Crus Les Millandes and Les Goulots.
