William Fèvre
Chablis, France
William Fèvre declared his first vintage in 1959, marking the birth of the domaine and a pivotal moment in the production of quality-focused Chablis. Garnering over 250 years of family experience working the land in this region, Fèvre established himself as a winemaker with a modest seven hectares of vineyards. Slowly and methodically, the domaine acquired new vineyard sites in Chablis over the years, all situated in historic terroirs. At the same time, it became synonymous with technological advancement and led the charge of environmental stewardship, embracing organic viticulture since 2000 (certification commencing from the 2023 vintage), and biodynamic practices initiated in 2010 across 32 hectares.
The vineyards boast an impressive average vine age ranging from 30 to 60 years, with some dating back to the 1940s. Aging of the crus takes place for 13 to 14 months, with 40 to 50% of the harvest spending 5 to 6 months on fine lees in French oak barrels, without new oak.
Today, Domaine William Fèvre is not only one of the most influential landowners in Chablis — possessing an impressive 70 hectares of vineyards (all vinified separately) — they also indisputably have the greatest holdings, including 15.9 hectares classified as Premiers Crus and 15.2 as Grand Crus. A new chapter began for the estate in 2024, when it was acquired by Domaines Barons de Rothschild, owned by the esteemed Lafite family.
Wines
Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos - Domaine
Chablis Grand Cru
Les Clos is the largest and most prestigious Grand Cru in Chablis, so it comes as no surprise that Domaine William Fèvre stakes its claim as the most influential landowner here. This shining example comes from a cooler microclimate at the very top of the hill, resulting in a remarkably fresh, complex, and age-worthy wine.
Chablis Grand Cru Bougros "Côte Bouguerots" – Domaine
Chablis Grand Cru
The Côtes Bouguerots is a particularly steep parcel of the Grand Cru Bougros boasting the steepest slope in Chablis, with a gradient approaching 45 degrees. Mostly planted in the 1950s and ‘60s, its shallow soils naturally restrict yields, making for a more complex wine. Some time on the lees in old French oak barrels makes for powerful wine, densely structured and with some roundness.
Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses - Domaine
Chablis Grand Cru
From Fèvre’s holdings towards the top of Les Preuses, this wine has excellent aging potential due to the soils, dense clay over limestone. A light touch in the cellar and a measured use of old French oak allow the quality of the vineyard to shine through in this round, yet elegant and intensely mineral wine.
Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir - Domaine
Chablis Grand Cru
Fèvre farms two south-facing parcels on the north hillside of Vaudésir totalling 1.20 hectares in the heart of the Côte des Grands Crus. The steep slopes of this cru contain more clay than limestone, making an elegant, finessed wine. Vaudésir’s blend of softness and liveliness is unique among the Grands Crus, making it particularly charming when young.
Chablis Grand Cru Valmur - Domaine
Chablis Grand Cru
The cru Valmur resembles a little valley, with two hillsides on either side of the Sainte Vaubourg fountain path. Fèvre’s parcel climbs the length of the vineyard on the western hillside, exposed south/southeast. Its deep clay and limestone soils tend to produce fruity and powerful wines still with the Chablisien minerality.
Chablis Grand Cru Bougros - Domaine
Chablis Grand Cru
From the storied Bougros vineyard on Chablis' western slopes, this Grand Cru exemplifies the power and elegance of this exceptional terroir. Nestled at the base of steep inclines, Bougros boasts soils rich in Kimmeridgian limestone and clay, fostering a wine with impressive structure and minerality.
Chablis 1er Cru Vaulorent - Domaine
Chablis 1er Cru
Vaulorent wraps around the opposite face of the hillside on which Les Preuses and Bougros sit. Fèvre’s holdings are on the eastern side of the vineyard, as close as one can get to the Grands Crus without crossing over. The soils resemble their storied neighbors and grow similarly powerful wines, perhaps with a shade more freshness.
Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre - Domaine
Chablis 1er Cru
The Montée de Tonnèrre wraps around the hillside immediately east of the Côte des Grands Crus. Its geological profile closely resembles the Grands Crus and as such is considered one of the finest Premiers Crus. Fèvre’s holdings are in three lieux-dits on the crest of the hill with exposures ranging from southwest to south to southeast. Both full and rich while holding onto mineral and floral characters, the wine shows intensity and complexity in its youth, and will develop subtlety as it ages.
Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume
Chablis 1er Cru
Fourchaum is situated on the opposite face of the hillside on which Grand Crus Les Preuses and Bougros sit. Fèvre’s holdings are on the eastern side of the vineyard, as close as one can get to the Grands Crus without crossing over. The soils resemble their storied neighbors and grow similarly powerful wines, perhaps with a shade more freshness.
Chablis 1er Cru Les Lys - Domaine
Chablis 1er Cru
Historically owned by French royalty, the climat of Les Lys sits towards the top of the hill in Vaillons. On the left bank of the Serein, Fèvre’s 0.99 hectares of vines grow in clay over Kimmeridgian soils, its eastern exposure producing a delicate wine with a soft, charming palate.
People
Didier Séguier, Director, Winemaker
The childhood and youth of Didier Séguier traverse the agricultural and wine-growing regions of France. Born in Cognac, he grew up in Bordeaux where his parents were surrounded by winemaker friends. Cellar visits punctuated these years, leading him to a viticulture-enology baccalaureate in Sauternes and then to a BTS (Advanced Technician’s Certificate) that he obtained in Avize.
Champagne introduced him to a different world and different methods, and it was during an internship at Veuve Clicquot that he first met Joseph Henriot. At that time, Didier considered taking over a vineyard and extended his technical
apprenticeship with commercial training in Paris.
In 1992, Didier applied to Bouchard Père et Fils as Cellar Master. For six years, he learned the finesse of the great terroirs of Burgundy.
In 1998, at the age of thirty, Didier Séguier took over the direction of Domaine William Fèvre.
Accompanied by François Ménin, Vineyard Manager, and Pascal Reynaud, Cellar Master, Didier has been committed to environmental viticulture since 2000, combining tradition and innovation. The respect for the Chablis terroir has always been a driving force for the estate, continuing after its acquisition by Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite in January 2024.
Saskia de Rothschild, Owner
Saskia de Rothschild is the chairwoman of Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite). Born into the esteemed Rothschild family, and with a background in business and finance, Saskia brings a modern perspective to the traditional art of winemaking, ensuring the continued success and innovation of the family's wine estates.
Trade Materials
Spec Sheet | PDF
Premier Cru Beauroy is an excellent introduction to the Premier Cru wines in the William Fèvre collection. One of the main Premier Crus on the left bank of the Serein,…
Spec Sheet | PDF
William Fèvre Chablis Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre is widely considered one of the finest Premiers Crus, thanks to its proximity and geological similarity to the Grands Crus just to…
Spec Sheet | PDF
William Fèvre Premier Cru Les Lys is a refined expression of the Vaillons climat, drawn from a 0.99-hectare plot once owned by French royalty. Located on an eastern-facing slope with…
Spec Sheet | PDF
Premier Cru Beauroy is an excellent introduction to the Premier Cru wines in the William Fèvre collection. One of the main Premier Crus on the left bank of the Serein,…
Spec Sheet | PDF
Vaudésir sits between Valmur and Les Preuses at the heart of the Grands Crus slope, covering 15.4 hectares with a dual exposure that gives it a character unlike any of…
Spec Sheet | PDF
Les Clos is the largest and most prestigious Grand Cru in Chablis, so it comes as no surprise that Domaine William Fèvre stakes its claim as the most influential landowner…
Spec Sheet | PDF
Domaine William Fèvre Bougros is a powerful Grand Cru from the steepest slope in Chablis, with a gradient nearing 45 degrees. The domaine tends to 49% of the cru, including…
Spec Sheet | PDF
Les Preuses sits on the heights of the Grands Crus slope, an 11.44-hectare appellation whose name traces back to the old Roman road that once ran at its foot, derived…
Spec Sheet | PDF
Valmur occupies a singular position among the seven Chablis Grands Crus, sitting in the midst of the slope between Vaudésir and Les Clos, its tip connecting to the latter. Its…
Spec Sheet | PDF
Bougros is the westernmost of the seven Chablis Grands Crus, known for its rich, ample, and powerful character. Situated at altitudes ranging from 130 to 170 meters with a southwest…
Spec Sheet | PDF
The “Royal Fields” of Chablis sit atop a layer of Kimmeridgian soils rich in minerals and oyster fossils which are famed for the freshness they give these classic wines, a…
Spec Sheet | PDF
William Fèvre Saint-Bris is a rare expression of Sauvignon Blanc in Burgundy, produced in a small 133-hectare appellation just southwest of Chablis. This is the only white Burgundy AOC permitted…
Spec Sheet | PDF
William Fèvre Premier Cru Les Lys is a refined expression of the Vaillons climat, drawn from a 0.99-hectare plot once owned by French royalty. Located on an eastern-facing slope with…
Spec Sheet | PDF
Vaillons is one of Chablis's largest and most important Premier Crus, a 129-hectare appellation on the left bank of the Serein with eight different localities entitled to the name. What…
Spec Sheet | PDF
Domaine William Fèvre is the benchmark producer in Chablis, and one of the most important names in all of Burgundy. With family roots in the region stretching back over 250…
Spec Sheet | PDF
The “Royal Fields” of Chablis sit atop a layer of Kimmeridgian soils rich in minerals and oyster fossils which are famed for the freshness they give these classic wines, a…
Spec Sheet | PDF
Les Preuses sits on the heights of the Grands Crus slope, an 11.44-hectare appellation whose name traces back to the old Roman road that once ran at its foot, derived…
Spec Sheet | PDF
Les Clos is the largest and most prestigious Grand Cru in Chablis, so it comes as no surprise that Domaine William Fèvre stakes its claim as the most influential landowner…
Spec Sheet | PDF
Valmur occupies a singular position among the seven Chablis Grands Crus, sitting in the midst of the slope between Vaudésir and Les Clos, its tip connecting to the latter. Its…
Spec Sheet | PDF
Vaudésir sits between Valmur and Les Preuses at the heart of the Grands Crus slope, covering 15.4 hectares with a dual exposure that gives it a character unlike any of…
Spec Sheet | PDF
Domaine William Fèvre Bougros is a powerful Grand Cru from the steepest slope in Chablis, with a gradient nearing 45 degrees. The domaine tends to 49% of the cru, including…
Spec Sheet | PDF
Bougros is the westernmost of the seven Chablis Grands Crus, known for its rich, ample, and powerful character. Situated at altitudes ranging from 130 to 170 meters with a southwest…
Spec Sheet | PDF
Domaine William Fèvre is the benchmark producer in Chablis, and one of the most important names in all of Burgundy. With family roots in the region stretching back over 250…
Spec Sheet | PDF
The “Royal Fields” of Chablis sit atop a layer of Kimmeridgian soils rich in minerals and oyster fossils which are famed for the freshness they give these classic wines, a…
Spec Sheet | PDF
William Fèvre Premier Cru Montmains is a benchmark Chablis grown on the region’s famously stony left bank. Montmains is both a specific climat and an umbrella designation that includes the…
Spec Sheet | PDF
William Fèvre Chablis Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre is widely considered one of the finest Premiers Crus, thanks to its proximity and geological similarity to the Grands Crus just to…
Spec Sheet | PDF
Fourchaume is the most celebrated Premier Cru in Chablis, and in many ways the most logical step between the village wines and the Grands Crus. Sitting on the right bank…
Spec Sheet | PDF
Premier Cru Beauroy is an excellent introduction to the Premier Cru wines in the William Fèvre collection. One of the main Premier Crus on the left bank of the Serein,…
Maps
