the Domaine
the Origins
A family story
Like all great stories, the story of Domaine de Montille takes you back in time.
The past: its roots. The present: the new generation. A clever combination, a balance, between tradition, audacity and modernity.
The roots
The family tree takes us to the middle of the 17th century, in Créancey, in Auxois, with the Lords of Commeau. Founded in the 1730s, the estate was renamed Domaine de Montille following the union of Étienne Joseph Marie Léonce Bizouard de Montille,the great-grandfather of today’s Etienne de Montille, to Marie Eléonore Chauvelot de Chevannes on April 9, 1863.
At the time, the estate was sitting on a real treasure. Around twenty hectares of magnificent terroirs, planted with pinot noir in the Côte de Beaune but also in the Côte de Nuit with Musigny, Bonnes Mares and Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru Les Amoureuses. These glorious names will bring a spark in any wine lover’s eyes. Yet, times were different then and had their share of agricultural catastrophies. When phylloxera hit Burgundy, the family had no choice but to let go of some its vines. In the 1950s, the estate was stripped to bare bones with barely 3 hectares remaining, located mainly in Volnay, as well as the family house, also located Volnay.
Fortunately, the story does not end there. The 1950s marked a turning point in the history of the estate. Hubert de Montille placed high hopes in the marvels of the mosaic of Burgundy terroirs. He and his son, Etienne de Montille, current owner of Domaine de Montille, devoted both their lives to reconstructing and expanding the family vineyards, plot after plot. First in Volnay and Pommard, then in Vosne-Romanée, Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, and many more places.
Hubert A man of conviction
Hubert was fatherless when he took the helm in the late 1940s. The estate did not exceed 3 hectares but that was something he was determined to change. The bright child became a successful lawyer. In-between two cases, he explored his true passion: his vines. Who, if not Hubert, committed his life to reinstating and developping what was left of the family estate?
Not only was he a great winemaker, he was also one of the most ardent defenders of Burgundy terroirs of his time. At a time when more than 90% of the wines produced in the region were in the hands of the négoce with a standardized style, he made terroir-driven wines from his own vines. Wines with strong character, just like him. Terroir. It was always about terroir.
Hubert became a pinot noir icon and made Domaine de Montille a legend.
Hubert
a man of conviction
“Montille”, as he was called during his lifetime, divided his time between his legal career, which he had chosen in 1953 and he humorously described as his “bread and butter”, and his dear vines. Being of great eloquence, he distinguished himself in cases defending some major Burgundy houses, such as Faiveley against Parker. His career reached its peak in the 1980s, when he defended the Laroche family in the highly mediatized « Petit Grégory » case. However successful as a lawyer, today Hubert is best known as one of the greatest winegrowers of his generation.
Christiane, Hubert’s wife, played a decisive part in this success. Working diligently behind the scenes, she managed many administrative affairs. A remarkable woman of taste and a skilled cook, she greatly influenced the family's palate. Always present, her kind heart and sharp mind always was the first to mediate between father and children when necessary.
Hubert’s independent character led him to follow his own path without concern over what people might think. An entire generation of wine enthusiasts and professionals remembers his strong and meaningful appearances in Jonathan Nossiter’s Mondovino. His outspokenness and his advocacy for terroir and age-worthy wines continue to make waves even today.
When asked once what had marked or inspired him, he simply replied, "No one." As he opened a Volnay premier cru Taillepieds 1985, one of his finest vintages, he added, "What I love about all this is the astonishment. The astonishment one feels when opening a bottle. I'm like a child," he confessed, with that light that never left his gaze... It was then understood that Hubert had said it all. It was time to stop everything, raise one's glass, smell, taste, and appreciate all the work accomplished. A true journey through time.
Etienne Tireless entrepreneur
For the past two decades, Etienne de Montille has been at the helm of Domaine de Montille, orchestrating its journey with visionary zeal and unwavering commitment.
Etienne has successfully cemented and expanded the global reputation of the estate, excelling not only in red wines but also in whites. In a continuation of his father's legacy, he orchestrated a significant acquisition in 2012, procuring approximately fifteen hectares of esteemed vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Meursault, and other illustrious villages of the Côte de Beaune. This bold move restored the estate to its level in the 19th century, when it boasted nearly 35 hectares of prime vineyard holdings.
With a clear vision and boldness, Etienne always has dozens of projects brewing in his mind. The establishment of Racines estates in California and de Montille x Hokkaido in Japan in 2017 stand as shining examples of his adventurous spirit, and surely, more exciting endeavors are yet to come.
Etienne
Tireless entrepreneur
Etienne's love affair with vineyards and wine began in his childhood, but he was determined to "learn a proper trade first" before embracing the family tradition. While he initially followed a path in law and later ventured into the world of mergers and acquisitions, his heart never strayed far from his roots, wine.
In 1983, Etienne began his journey at the estate after spending a year in the United States, where he worked as a bartender at Chez Panisse, the Californian restaurant that played a pivotal role in the "Food and Wine" revolution in the country. It was there, amidst the apostles of taste and nouvelle cuisine, that he discovered his inner traveler, a trait that would stay with him forever.
It was also during this time that he realized his true calling lay in Volnay, at the heart of the family vineyards. He honed his skills at university and learned the practical aspects from his father, Hubert, until 1990 when he took over the reins of winemaking.In 1995, with a decade of winemaking experience under his belt, Etienne was appointed co-manager and transitioned the estate to organic agriculture.
By 2001, he embraced a full-time commitment, overseeing both the family domain and the esteemed Château de Puligny-Montrachet, where he assumed the role of manager. It was in that year, 2001, that he fully took the helm, affirming his style and philosophy: biodynamic farming, crafting wines that are silkier and less austere, all while upholding the core principles learned alongside his father: authenticity, purity, elegance, and balance.
On several occasions, Etienne expanded the estate with exceptional vineyards. In 2005, alongside his father, he acquired prestigious parcels of vines in the Côte de Nuits (Vosne-Romanée, Vougeot, Nuits-Saint-Georges), including the fabulous Malconsorts in Vosne-Romanée. However, his ambition didn't stop there; a few years later, in 2012, he acquired the Château de Puligny-Montrachet, which he had already been managing for 11 years. With this acquisition, approximately fifteen hectares of Chardonnay vineyards became part of the estate's portfolio.
In 2017, Etienne and Brian, who has been Etienne's cellar master and right-hand man at the estate since 2010, embarked on a new venture on the opposite side of the world: the initiation of the grand journey of Racines wines in the Santa Rita Hills of California. Concurrently, he pursued another daring endeavor: planting vineyards in Hokkaido, Japan. It's evident that he's always on the move!
the Team
A global perspective
At Domaine de Montille, the ardor and eagerness of youth blend beautifully with the experience and humility of the elders. To cover the entirety of the vineyard, from Vosne-Romanée in the north to Chassagne-Montrachet in the south, our teams support and complement each other while embracing the same passion and imperative of excellence.
Today, more than 20 people put their heart into their passion with us on a daily basis. From the vineyard to the office, these incredible personas come from all walks of life: Italy, England, USA, France. A stubbornly international team, fitting for a land that is praised worldwide.
Brian SIEVE
Winery
Jacques MONTAGNON
Winery
Nicholas VALENTINUZZI
Vineyard
Virginie DUCREUX
HR & Finance
Nicolas FONTAINE
Trade (Export)
Manon DUMAIT
Trade (France)
Brian SIEVE
Winery
Brian was born in Indianapolis, but his journey through a myriad of professions has taken him across the globe: from ski patrolling in Colorado to guiding fly-fishing expeditions, harvesting grapes, and working in vineyards in Sonoma Valley, California…
With an unwavering passion for terroir, he eventually found his home in Volnay. Following a year at the estate, he assumed the role of cellar master in January 2010. Beneath his legendary wit lies a deep well of expertise and a steadfast commitment to excellence in his craft.
With an unwavering passion for terroir, he eventually found his home in Volnay. Following a year at the estate, he assumed the role of cellar master in January 2010. Beneath his legendary wit lies a deep well of expertise and a steadfast commitment to excellence in his craft.
Jacques MONTAGNON
Winery
If there's anyone who embodies seasoned expertise, it's Jacques. Hailing from Saint-Étienne, he cut his teeth in Chablis and developed a profound passion for white wine vinification. Joining the Château de Puligny-Montrachet in 1987, he swiftly assumed leadership of vinification. Embracing organic farming as a life philosophy, Jacques's wealth of experience became invaluable. When Etienne de Montille acquired the Château de Puligny-Montrachet in 2012, Jacques emerged as a trusted cornerstone. Valuing experience above all, he believes that while scientific knowledge aids, it's his seasoned intuition that truly guides every cellar action.
Nicholas VALENTINUZZI
Vineyard
Nicholas comes from Friuli, in Italy, where he pursued studies in viticulture and oenology before completing his first three harvests. In the spring of 2016, he crossed paths with a certain Brian Sieve, and thereafter ventured to the United States and Australia before finally settling, as you may have guessed, at Domaine de Montille!
With remarkable talent, and a fiery enthusiasm, he climbed the ranks, starting as a versatile laborer, then becoming a team leader, tractor driver, and ultimately vineyard manager. A lover of Pinot Noir and Burgundy, he values the autonomy, freedom, and open-mindedness of the Domaine above all else.
With remarkable talent, and a fiery enthusiasm, he climbed the ranks, starting as a versatile laborer, then becoming a team leader, tractor driver, and ultimately vineyard manager. A lover of Pinot Noir and Burgundy, he values the autonomy, freedom, and open-mindedness of the Domaine above all else.
Virginie DUCREUX
HR & Finance
Crafting exceptional wines also entails meticulous management of business affairs and team members. In this regard, the estate relies on its queen of numbers! Since 2017, Virginie has served as our Director of Finance and Human Resources.
Nicolas FONTAINE
Trade (Export)
Who better to promote and distribute Montille internationally than a man from the region, both resolutely Burgundian and intensely curious about the world and others? Nicolas grew up here on the Côte de Nuits, a region he never tires of exploring (he even knows the best spots in the forest). He discovered a passion for fine wines, and his ambitious spirit led him to establish his wine import business in Sweden before joining the team in 2021. A playful yet logical mind at your service!
Manon DUMAIT
Trade (France)
Manon grew up in the historic province of Bourbonnais and also spent part of her childhood in Japan and the United States, two countries dear to her heart that are also cherished by the estate. Passionate about gastronomy, it was between Dijon and Reims that she fell in love with wine, studying it from every angle.
For a while, she had a foot in trade, the other in the vineyard. Today she is proud to accompany the distribution of the estate's wines in the most beautiful country in the world: France.
