Domaine Dandelion

Domaine Dandelion is a tiny, highly regarded estate in the Hautes-Cotes de Beaune led by Morgane Seuillot and Christian Knott. The domaine farms just under four hectares across seven parcels near Mavilly-Mandelot, with Pinot Noir as the focus and small holdings of Gamay and Aligote. Farming is organic and horse-powered, with no tractors, and many of the parcels—like the century-old Gamay used in Fruit Defendu—are low-yielding and require intense manual care.

In the cellar, fermentations are native, whole-cluster, and gravity-fed into a combination of concrete and old neutral oak barrels. Wines are pressed with a traditional vertical basket press and racked only once before being bottled by hand. There are no additives used at any stage.

The Nature cuvee is the domaine’s flagship: pure Pinot Noir from multiple sites, layered with wild berry fruit and spice. Aube comes from a cooler east-facing parcel and shows darker structure and depth. Rosie, from high-density 1950s plantings, is lacy, perfumed, and rose-like. Sur la Plage is grown on sandier soils and is light, vibrant, and dangerously drinkable. Fruit Defendu is made from rescued centenarian Gamay vines and offers bright, punchy fruit with a savory core. These are soulful, transparent Burgundies made with extreme care.