As Burgundy enthusiasts, it is disheartening to see many of the top appellations of the Côte d’Or becoming increasingly exclusive to the wealthy. Fortunately, this concern is balanced by the emergence of young vignerons such as Hugo Mathurin and Talloulah Dubourg, who are crafting compelling Burgundy from humble vineyards in lesser-storied appellations.
Hugo and Talloulah met as oenology students in Bordeaux and were determined to chart a new and singular course. To complete their training, Talloulah joined Ben Leroux, while Hugo worked along side Jean-Marc Roulot and Fred Mugnier. Then, in 2020, they teamed up to form Domaine de Cassiopée in Maranges, an underappreciated AOC in the southernmost corner of the Côte de Beaune. Spanning 5 hectares of vineyards that the couple coverted to organics (now certified), the microclimate Maranges is somewhat cooler than in other parts of the Côte, resulting in a harvest up to two weeks later than in the Côte de Beaune’s more celebrated villages. As a result, Cassiopée wines are often brighter and more structured, with a transcendent purity and minerality. Each of the 8 parcels comprising the domaine is vinified into its own cuvée. Fully organic and with a strong biodynamic orientation, the domaine adheres to the lunar calendar with its low-intervention vinification. Aging takes place in larger wooden barrels and terra cotta, with very little (if any) sulfur is added at bottling.
The name “Domaine de Cassiopée” evokes the constellation Cassiopeia, whose prominence in the night sky has guided generations of travellers. The name reflects Hugo and Talloulah’s commitment to natural and organic rhythms and aligns fully with their dedication to viticulture and winemaking practices that harmonize with nature. Just as Cassiopeia has guided wayward travelers for centuries, so Hugo and Talloulah are illuminating a path forward for Burgundy.
