Domaine Joliet

The Early Traces of the Joliet Family

The first documented mention of the Joliets in Burgundy dates back to 1570, with records of Messieurs Claude and Jehan Joliet. Residents of Rue de Chaullois in Fixin, they worked for the Cistercian monks tending the vines of the Clos de la Perrière.

The street’s name originates from the nearby spring that supplied water to the Domaine de la Perrière.

Acquisition of Domaine de la Perrière

The Joliet family became owners of Domaine de la Perrière in the 19th century when Henri Joliet inherited it through his marriage to Pauline Serrigny, daughter of Denis Serrigny, in 1875. Henri, a member of the parliament in Dijon, expanded the family holdings by acquiring additional farms and vineyards.

His son Pierre took over the estate but was forced to sell part of it due to World War I and subsequent economic crises. In 1942, Jehan Joliet inherited the estate during a particularly challenging era. Despite financial hardships, Jehan preserved the Clos de la Perrière as a monopole, ensuring its survival as the sole five-hectare vineyard under family ownership.

The Pursuit of Excellence

For the first three generations, most of the estate’s wines were sold in barrels to merchants in Beaune and Dijon, who handled bottling and distribution domestically and internationally. At the time, wine tourism in Burgundy was virtually nonexistent.

In 1970, Philippe Joliet became the first family member to bottle and market the wines of Clos de la Perrière himself. He focused on improving the vineyard’s quality by replacing outdated vines and refining vinification techniques. Philippe also began welcoming the public to the estate with tasting tours, marking the start of direct sales in France and abroad.

By 1990, approximately half of the wines were bottled at the estate. In 1998, Philippe’s son, Bénigne Joliet, took over the domaine and successfully retained its monopole status through meticulous stewardship during family transitions.

Around half the wines were bottled at the estate in 1990. He handed over the reins to his son Bénigne Joliet in 1998, who once again maintained the estate’s monopoly despite the succession. The quest for excellence continues.

A New Era of Excellence

In 2007, Bénigne built a new winery on the estate to vinify the entire Clos de la Perrière onsite. This decision aimed to recapture the aromatic harmony once sought by the Cistercian monks centuries earlier.

Today, Clos de la Perrière is cultivated and vinified exclusively by Domaine Joliet, led by Bénigne Joliet and his daughter, Camille Joliet. Their shared mission continues to honor the family’s storied legacy while striving for excellence in every vintage.

The Origins of Maison Joliet

In 2013, Bénigne Joliet, the sixth generation of the family, embarked on a new venture to expand the scope of Domaine Joliet. Until then, the domaine had focused exclusively on vinifying wines from Clos de la Perrière, Fixin Premier Cru in both red and white. To achieve this diversification, Bénigne established his eponymous Maison de Négoce, though the first selections wouldn’t debut until 2023.

Why the delay? The meticulous care required at Domaine Joliet, from vine cultivation to sales, already consumed all of Bénigne’s time. In 2022, however, the arrival of his daughter Camille Joliet, returning from Canada to work at the estate, provided the opportunity to breathe new life into the project. The Maison de Négoce was revived and officially renamed Maison Joliet.

A Year of Foundation

The inaugural year of Maison Joliet was dedicated to building partnerships with vignerons, agents, and collaborators who shared the family’s commitment to excellence. Central to their approach was fostering human connections, advocating for environmentally respectful viticulture, and ensuring transparent, thoughtful winemaking practices.

During these first months, Camille and Bénigne focused on tasting numerous “naked” wines—raw, unadulterated expressions of their terroirs—seeking out winemakers and domaines that aligned with their vision for quality and style. Out of over 60 samples, five wines stood out, forming the foundation of the current Maison Joliet range, which spans Bourgogne wines from regional designations to premier crus and village wines.

Looking Ahead

As Maison Joliet enters its second year, the focus is shifting toward sourcing grapes for future vinification at the historic cellars of the Manoir de la Perrière. Until this vision is fully realized, wine enthusiasts can enjoy the exclusive and highly limited selection of Burgundy reds and whites currently offered by Maison Joliet—a collection that reflects both tradition and innovation.

This new chapter signifies the Joliet family’s unwavering dedication to their craft, blending centuries of heritage with a forward-looking ambition.