Domaine Jean Collet Chablis 2019 Burgundy

Since 1792, generation after generation of the Collet family have worked the vineyards of Chablis. The name of the domaine takes after Jean, who started to work a meagre holding of 61 ares of vines in 1952. Until then, all of the wine produced by his predecessors had been sold en-vrac to local négociants. He proudly bottled his first wine in 1954 and completed his initial export sale – to the United States – five years later.

In 1979, Jean was joined by his son, Gilles assisted by his wife Dominique. It’s the same couple who run the domaine today, along with the next generation, Romain who joined his father in 2008.

The cellar is a relatively modern edifice on the western edge of the village of Chablis. I’m not sure how many visits they receive by helicopter, but there’s a landing spot in the car park, just in case someone wants to (literally) drop in for a tasting.

Today, the family vineyards extend over 37 hectares.