Domaine Rois Mages shines brightly in the Côte Chalonnaise! Discover the exceptional Rully (red and white) and Bouzeron wines crafted with precision by Félix Debavelaere.

A bold woman

The story of Domaine Rois Mages begins in Rully, where Anne-Sophie Debavelaere, a native Burgundian with a degree in oenology from the University of Dijon, set out to realise her lifelong dream of establishing her own estate.  In 1984, guided by her determination and a measure of luck, she settled in Rully, a discreet appellation of the Côte Chalonnaise that would become her home base. Her estate soon expanded into Bouzeron and Beaune, gradually building to its current 11 hectares, half of which is planted with old vines. The estate cultivates Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Aligoté (in Bouzeron), farmed following sustainable viticulture principles. Once harvested, the grapes are carefully sorted, gently pressed, and vinified in oak casks. Ageing also takes place in oak, and the house style deliberately adopts a low-intervention approach. The estate’s philosophy is clear with adaptability and skill in the service of “expressing my vintage, my grape variety, and my terroir.” With a desire to foster solidarity among women in wine, Anne-Sophie is also a member of the Vins et Femmes de Bourgogne association.

A new chapter for the estate

Since 2011, the reins have passed to her son Félix, a trained oenologist. With the conviction that travel is an education in itself, Félix spent time abroad. After gaining hands-on experience at a winery in Australia, he came back to take charge of vineyard management, winemaking, and ageing. Under his guidance, the estate has broadened its horizons, turning its attention to export markets, with bottles now heading to North America, Scandinavia, and Asia. His work has not gone unnoticed, and his wines are attracting attention. In 2015, for the 25th edition of the Palmarès des Jeunes Talents de Bourgogne – an award honouring a young winemaker from each Burgundy subregion following blind tastings – Félix was selected to represent the Côte Chalonnaise. He went on to win the Trophée Jeunes Talents in 2017.

Burgundy-style generosity

During the “Ruez-vous sur les Rully” (literally Rush for Rully) event, Anne-Sophie explained the story behind the estates changing its name to Domaine Rois Mages. “For many years, the estate was simply called Anne-Sophie Debavelaere. I have four sons, and I didn’t want to pass on an estate with a name that felt too feminine. So I opted for Domaine Rois Mages since my maiden name is Melchior, and according to tradition, there were four Magi. The fourth came from India carrying treasures, but he never made it to Bethlehem because he gave them all away along the way.” This anecdote captures Anne-Sophie’s deep-rooted commitment to sharing, something that resonates with those who have had the chance to visit the estate.  Don’t hesitate to stop by! Visitors are welcomed in ancient, vaulted cellars, carved into the hillside, where natural thermal inertia provides ideal ageing conditions.

Now widely praised by the wine press and Burgundy wine lovers alike, the estate proudly offers white wines bursting with mineral finesse and subtlety, and red wines that are vibrant, frank and built to age. To follow closely!

Domaine Rois Mages‘ wines on iDealwine

Rully Les Cailloux (red)

If you’ve never stood among the vines in the “Les Cailloux” parcel in Rully in the Côte Chalonnaise, picture a locality where you can catch a glimpse of Mont Blanc on the horizon, especially on the eve of rainfall.

Rully Les Cailloux (white)

This highly unconventional white Rully is the brainchild of Anne-Sophie Debavelaere and her son Félix Debavelaere, a trained oenologist. The mineral character of the Les Cailloux cuvée springs from the stony soil where it originates. In this terroir, the Chardonnay vines have to dig their roots very deep into the soil to find the nutrients they require to flourish.

Rully Chaponnières (white)

This Rully hails from the heart of the appellation, where the stony terroir compels the Chardonnay vines to dig deep to find the nutrients they require to flourish.

Rully Plante Moraine (white)

A wine of sheer pleasure! Its minerality is drawn from the very soil that gave its name to the “Plante Moraine” climat.

Bouzeron (white) 

Often seen as Burgundy’s underdog, Aligoté is all too frequently overlooked. This is a real pity given its potential for yielding wines loaded with charm and balance. This Bouzeron proves the point, offering a compelling take on a variety known for its somewhat capricious temperament.

Shop the wines from the estate currently for sale on iDealwine