The Domaine Julien Brocard is located in Préhy, a few kilometers from the town of Chablis in northern Burgundy. The primary goal of the Domaine is to express the true character of the wines without any distortion, and to achieve this, the vines have been cultivated biodynamically since 2011.
The history of the Domaine begins in 1973 when Jean-Marc Brocard planted his first vines in the Chablis wine-growing region. In 1995, Julien Brocard followed in his father's footsteps and took on his first responsibilities in the family business. Together, they created ecological niches by planting new fruit trees typical of the region, such as hazelnut, pear, and vineyard peach, thus promoting biodiversity and the balance between animals and plants.
In 1997, Julien Brocard discovered the vineyard of La Boissonneuse, where he ventured into his first biodynamic experiments. This vineyard received biodynamic certification as early as 2002. All other vineyards and plots were also gradually converted to biodynamics. Even today, in 2023, only a handful of producers in Chablis practice biodynamic viticulture.
When Julien joined his father as vineyard manager in 1997, the winery was using every means available to combat disease: herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides. Julien was determined to find a better way. Having heard about biodynamic farming, he became part of a group of growers in Burgundy (including Aubert de Villaine, Anne-Claude Leflaive, and Dominique Lafon) who shared their experiences farming this way. In 1997, he started his exploration with the village-level “Boissoneuse” vineyard, the heart of the Julien Brocard winery.
Julien Brocard was the first to practice biodynamic farming in Chablis, facing numerous challenges. Neighboring growers feared that biodynamic farming would bring disease to their vineyards. Ignoring the naysayers and pleased with the results, Julien continued to convert more vineyards to biodynamic agriculture. In 2012, feeling that the sites were showing their fullest potential, he launched his own label, Julien Brocard - les 7 Lieux. “7 Lieux” translates to seven sites, and he started with seven wines that year.
Today, Julien works with a total of 18 hectares, the core of which is 11 hectares in the Boissonneuse vineyard in Préhy. Biodynamic farming requires constant human observation and attention, and the use of ancestral methods and tools, such as horse-drawn plowing, which creates a natural link between people, the soil, and the plants. Since planting fruit trees in the vineyard, he has witnessed a resurgence of wildlife and microbial life in the soil. He is also working on reforesting his vineyards to help balance the water in the soil.
The wines from Domaine Julien Brocard reflect the philosophy and biodynamic approach of the winery. The flavors and aromas of the wines honor the promise of balance between the soil and the fruit. This harmony is evident in every bottle, offering an authentic and natural experience of Chablis.
