William Fèvre is an historic Chablis estate, one that has undoubtedly made the most significant contribution to the renaissance of the Chablis appellation. It has always produced outstanding white wines that are wonderfully elegant and have a great aptitude for ageing. The estate’s wines are unanimously praised by critics and its future looks bright as in January 2024, it was bought by the Barons de Rothschild Lafite from Maison Bouchard Père et Fils which had owned it since 1998.

A Chablis emblem

The William Fèvre estate is so iconic that even if it is not wholly responsible for the resurgence of the Chablis name, it certainly played a hugely important role. It covers some 78 hectares split into 90 parcels with 15.9 hectares of premier cru and 15.2 hectares of grand cru plots. The Chablis produced here have always strived for excellence and this estate can claim world renown.

Even though Chablis has been the home of the Fèvre family for over 250 years, it was not until 1959 that the young William founded Domaine de la Maladière from the family’s seven hectares and produced his first harvest. He quickly established a reputation as a staunch defender of the unique characteristics and various historical terroirs of Chablis, these steep slopes that lead down to the Serein River and have produced wine for nearly two millennia.

In the 1970s and 1980s, William Fèvre was everywhere: managing the estate, which he expanded with every year that went by, as well as travelling all around the world on behalf of the Chablis Appellation, promoting not just his vineyard but of all Chablis. Gradually, Fèvre expanded the estate, while remaining within the historic boundaries of the Chablis appellation. Today, William Fèvre is one of the largest in Chablis.

In 1998, Bouchard Père et Fils, a house from the Burgundy capital of Beaune, bought the estate and took on its modernisation. They managed to do so while maintaining the excellent reputation of the estate, best known for its ultra-subtle expression of the Chablis climats. They renamed the property after its illustrious founder, William Fèvre.

Didier Séguier’s arrival as the estate’s director

Didier Séguier has managed the property since 1998. With him, he has brought great rigour to the work in the vines and has ensured this dedication is continued in the cellar. His work has seen the quality of the wines continue to improve.

In the 90 parcels that make up the estate, the soils are meticulously cared for using organic practices (certification is currently taking place), the yields are limited, and the vines are hand-harvested when the grapes are perfectly ripe, which are then placed in small crates. The premier and grand cru sites are tended to using biodynamic methods although they are not certified. However, the estate has held HEV (a French High Environmental Value) certification for roughly 10 years.

In order to allow the nuances of the terroir to be expressed as well as retaining the freshness and minerality, the estate vinifies and matures its wines in new casks, patinaed barrels about six years old, and stainless steel vats (the Petit Chablis is entirely vinified and matured in the latter). It results in pure wines so typical of the appellation all while retaining the nuances of each vintage. Since 2010,all the estate’s bottles are closed with Diam corks in order to preserve the wine’s minerality.

Attention and rigour are at the heart of everything the estate does. It produces wines that age gracefully and some of the wines can also be enjoyed in their youth. Unsurprisingly, it takes more time for all the qualities of two of the premier crus to appreciate: Vaillons possesses lemony tautness and Vaulorent has a beautiful minerality which pair wonderfully with the finest fish.

A new chapter in 2024 with Barons de Rothschild Lafite

On 10 January 2024, the estate was officially taken over by Barons de Rothschild Lafite and became part of its group. This new chapter promises a bright future for this Chablis estate. In the press release, the estate enthusiastically stated, “It’s a strength to be able to draw on the knowledge of such a family of vineyards to exchange ideas and move our projects forward.”

The William Fèvre wines currently on sale on iDealwine

• Chablis
• Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume
• Chablis Premier Cru Montmains
• Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons
• Chablis Premier Cru Vaulorent
• Chablis Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre
• Chablis Premier Cru Beauroy
• Chablis Premier Cru Les Lys
• Chablis Grand Cru Valmur
• Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir
• Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses
• Chablis Grand Cru Bougros
• Chablis Grand Cru Bougros Côte Bouguerots
• Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos

See all William Fèvre wines for sale

Fèvre estate is so iconic that even if it is not wholly responsible for the resurgence of the Chablis name, it certainly played a hugely important role.  A large estate, measure 78 hectares, fifteen of which are Grand Crus and sixteen of which are Premier Crus. In terms of quality, as this estate can claim world renown – the Chablis produced here have always strived for excellence.

Even though Chablis has been the home of the Fèvre for over 250 years, it was not until 1959 that the young William founded the Domaine de la Maladière from the family’s 7 hectares and produced his first harvest. He quickly established a reputation as a staunch defender of the unique characteristics and various historical terroirs of Chablis. In the 1970s and 1980s, William Fèvre as everywhere: managing the estate as well as travelling all around the world on behalf of the Chablis Appellation, promoting not just his vineyard but of all Chablis.  Gradually, Fèvre expanded the domain, while remaining within the historic boundaries of the Chablis appellation. Today, Domaine William Fèvre is one of the largest in Chablis. In 1998, Bouchard Père et Fils, a house from the Burgundy capital of Beaune, bought the estate and took on its modernisation. They managed to do so while maintaining the excellent reputation of the estate, best known for its ultra-subtle expression of the Chablis climats. They renamed the estate for its illustrious founder, William Fèvre.

Didier Séguier has managed the domain since 1998. With him he has brought great rigor to the work in the vines and has ensured this dedication is continued in the cellar.

In the 90 parcels that make up the domain, the soils are meticulously groomed, the yields are limited, the vines are hand-harvested, the grapes placed in small crates then are meticulous sorted at every stage. The viticulture is organic in practice but not in certification.

In order to let the subtle nuances of the Chablis terroirs express themselves and to the estate uses patinated barrels aged for an average six years in the cellar, instead of new barrels. As well as expressing the terroir, this is done to preserve freshness and minerality. It results in rich wines with great aromatic purity. They do not lose their “Chablis-ness” and reveal nuances of each vintage.

This domaine enjoys fruits of its intense and meticulous viticultural labour. It produces wines that know how to age gracefully but manages to produce wines easier to drink in their youth. Unsurprisingly, it takes time to appreciate all the qualities of two of the Premier Crus: Vaillons is deliciously fresh and with a subtle minerality; Vaulorent has a beautiful minerality which pair wonderfully with the finest fish.

See all William Fèvre wines for sale on iDealwine