Le Domaine d'Henri has deep roots in the history of the Laroche family in Chablis, with a winemaking tradition dating back to at least 1695. The first significant mention of family-owned vineyards is found with Jean-Victor Laroche, who in 1850 purchased some plots of land in Maligny, near Chablis. However, it was only with Louis Laroche, born in 1781, that the creation of a true vineyard can be spoken of, albeit on a small scale.
Henri Laroche inherited two hectares of vineyards from his father in the late 1960s, a modest but significant legacy for the time. Michel Laroche, his son, further expanded the estate to six hectares. Michel, a man of vision and audacity, led the company from his first vintage in 1967 until selling his stake in Domaine Laroche in 2010, to establish a new, smaller, high-quality domaine, dedicated to the memory of his father, Henri.
Le Domaine d'Henri stands out for its attention to quality and tradition, with a commitment to organic viticulture and careful vinification to highlight the unique characteristics of each terroir. The oldest vines, planted in 1937, produce the grapes for the prestigious cuvée Fourchaume Héritage. Other notable vineyards include those from 1970, which give rise to Fourchaume Vieilles Vignes, and those planted between 1964 and 1999, used for Fourchaume.
Today, the domaine covers a significant area, with 3.24 hectares of Chablis and 4.50 hectares of Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume. In 2014, the acquisition of an additional 3.41 hectares of Petit Chablis and 5.21 hectares of Chablis doubled the vineyard area. By 2020, with the recovery of all rented vines, Le Domaine d'Henri expects to reach 22 hectares, including 4.41 hectares of Petit Chablis, 11.05 hectares of Chablis, 1.48 hectares of Premier Cru Beauroy, and 5.17 hectares of Premier Cru Fourchaume.
The Chablis terroir, characterized by Kimmeridgian clay-limestone soils and a continental climate with harsh winters and dry, sunny summers, imparts a distinctive minerality, freshness, and elegance to the wines. These climatic and geological factors help produce wines with a marked refreshing acidity and a finesse that recalls purity and elegance rather than power and creaminess.
Today, Michel's daughter, Margaux Laroche, is increasingly responsible for the commercial management of the domaine, carrying on the family tradition with dynamism and passion. Le Domaine d'Henri continues to thrive, honoring the past while confidently looking to the future, ensuring the Laroche family's legacy in Chablis remains vibrant and flourishing for generations to come.
