Jane Eyre, Santenay Blanc

Originally from Melbourne, Jane Eyre was previously a hairdresser in one of the city’s top salons before she “fell in love” with Burgundy while doing work experience at Domaine Chevrot in 1998. She 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 returned to Europe in 2003. Following a three-month spell with Ernie Loosen in the Mosel, she subsequently made Burgundy her home, working first at Domaine des Comtes Lafon and then as assistant winemaker at Domaine Newman. She has gradually developed her own négociant business since 2011 and was delighted to move from the rented space she shared with Dominique Lafon into her own premises in Cissey just before the 2021 harvest.

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’ in the Revue des Vins de France 2021, the first woman to be awarded the title. Both accolades are a phenomenal achievement for a relative newcomer to Burgundy.

The Pinot Noir for Jane’s Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru ‘Les Corbeaux’ hails from 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. The Savigny-lès-Beaune Premier Cru ‘Aux Vergelesses’ is a sentimental wine for Jane, as it is the first parcel she ever purchased. It is beautifully perfumed, with a bouquet of red cherries, violets and raspberries, complemented by superb structure, which offers excellent ageing potential.

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

Jane’s Fleuries hail from old bush vine parcels (up to 95 years old) in the prime ‘La Madone’ and ‘Les Labourons’ lieux dits, earmarked for Premier 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.