Jane Eyre, Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru `Aux Vergelesses`

Originally from Melbourne, Jane Eyre “fell in love” with Burgundy while doing work experience at Domaine Chevrot in 1998. Since 2011 she has developed her own négociant business here and now makes a range of exceptional, site-specific wines from celebrated vineyards across Burgundy and Beaujolais.

In the 2021 edition of Le Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France, Jane Eyre was awarded two stars, one of only 26 producers in the whole of France to be recognised at this level. She was also named ‘Négociant of the Year’ by the Revue des Vins de France in 2021, the first woman to be awarded the title. Both accolades are a phenomenal achievement for a relative newcomer to Burgundy.

Before settling in Burgundy, Jane studied winemaking at Charles Sturt University in Australia and worked vintages at Cullen in the Margaret River, as well as Felton Road and Ata Rangi in New Zealand. She then returned to Europe in 2003. Following a three-month spell with Ernie Loosen in the Mosel, she came back to Burgundy, working first at Domaine des Comtes Lafon and then as assistant winemaker at Domaine Newman. From 2011, she and Dominique Lafon shared cellar space, before Jane moved into her own premises in Cissey just before the 2021 harvest.

The Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru ‘Aux Vergelesses’ is a sentimental wine for Jane, as it is the first parcel she ever purchased fruit from. It is beautifully perfumed, with a bouquet of red cherries, violets, and raspberries, complemented by superb structure, which offers excellent ageing potential. The Pinot Noir for Jane’s Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru ‘Les Corbeaux’ hails from a lieu-dit which borders Grand Cru Mazis-Chambertin with vines which are over 50 years old. It offers aromas of violets and mulberry on the nose, with racy acidity, savoury tannin and structured, red berry flavours, which all come together on the palate for a superbly balanced wine.

Jane knew the Beaune 1er Cru ‘Les Avaux’ vineyard well from her time at Domaine Newman, so jumped at the chance to source fruit from this prime site. The vines are located on the Pommard side of Beaune, producing a perfumed and elegant wine. Another recent addition to Jane’s range is the Santenay Blanc. The views from this high elevation, stony vineyard took her breath away when she first visited, with the position looking over Maranges. The resulting wine has excellent freshness and minerality balanced by expressive citrus fruit.

Jane’s Fleurie hails from old bush vine parcels (up to 95 years old) in the prime ‘La Madone’ and ‘Les Labourons’ lieux dits, earmarked for 1er Cru status. It is fermented with 60% whole bunch in ceramic Clayver vessels, offering incredible depth of flavour and a delicious juicy ripeness. The ‘Vendanges Entieres’, which is 100% whole bunch fermented, has a lovely crunchy fruit character and the classic elegance that runs through all of Jane’s wines.