De Villamont Henri

Henri de Villamont Winery: Tradition and Modernity in the Heart of Burgundy

Domaine Henri de Villamont is one of Burgundy’s most traditional yet dynamic wineries. Based in Savigny-lès-Beaune, the estate combines a rich history with an uncompromising commitment to quality, which today makes it a leading name on the Côte de Beaune.

The estate’s roots date back to the late 19th century. The passionate winemaker Léonce Bocquet, then owner of the famous Château du Clos de Vougeot, commissioned the architect Charles Suisse to build a modern winery . The work took eight years, and the result was an architecturally remarkable building that is now regarded as one of the finest wine-growing complexes in Burgundy . Following Bocquet’s death, the estate changed hands several times before being acquired in 1964 by the Swiss Schenk family, who renamed it Henri de Villamont . The name dates back to a Breton crusader who planted vineyards in the region upon his return from the Holy Land .

A decisive turning point in its recent history came in 2004. Until then, the estate had been producing over 20 million bottles a year, but the Schenk family decided on a radical change of course: production was reduced to around 350,000 bottles in order to focus entirely on quality. As a result, the winery was completely renovated and fitted with state-of-the-art technology.

Today, Henri de Villamont cultivates ten hectares of his own vineyards, which are harvested exclusively by hand . The portfolio includes renowned sites such as the Savigny 1er Cru ‘Clos des Guettes’, several Premier Crus in Chambolle-Musigny and half a hectare in the Grand Cru Grands-Echézeaux . The wines are matured traditionally in French oak barrels for a period of six to eighteen months. The estate has also recently been transitioning to organic farming, which was certified in 2024.

The appointment of Vincent Bascou as the new director and cellar master in 2022 marked another milestone. Bascou, who brings experience from the Languedoc, New Zealand, Oregon and Chablis, has breathed new life into the estate’s wine style: “Vitality, energy and modernity” are his guiding principles. Today, the wines display elegant fruit, great purity and remarkable depth – a successful bridge between Burgundian tradition and contemporary precision.