Beyond Tradition: How Chablis’ Young Winemakers are Crafting a Modern Legacy

Meet the winemakers blending innovation and heritage to keep Chablis dynamic and relevant

Chablis has long held a revered spot on the world’s wine stage, but make no mistake—this isn’t a region stuck in the past. Widely known as the gold standard in Chardonnay—razor-sharp and packed with minerality and finesse—Chablis is proving itself as more than just a classic. From the zippy Petit Chablis to the commanding Grand Cru, it’s a dynamic wine region that’s moving with the times, thanks to a new wave of visionary producers redefining what Chablis means today.

This new crop of winemakers is staying true to the region’s identity while embracing trends like sustainability, organic farming, and eco-conscious production methods—things that resonate with the modern palate and, more importantly, the modern ethos. These producers are ensuring that Chablis isn’t just for the wine elite but for anyone who values quality, transparency, and a story in every glass.

Meet the new faces of Domaine du Colombier, Domaine Grossot, William Fèvre, and Domaine Jean Dauvissat Père et Fils, the next generation driving this movement. Through their passion and forward-thinking approaches, they’re making sure Chablis stays at the forefront of wine, appealing to seasoned aficionados and adventurous newcomers alike.

Domaine du Colombier: Marion Mothe Leads the Charge into Chablis’ Future

Domaine du Colombier, established in 1887, has long been a cornerstone of Chablis winemaking, producing 430,000 bottles per year, with 80% of it exported. But it’s the newest face of the estate, Marion Mothe, daughter of Thierry Mothe, who is injecting a fresh energy into the family-run business. At just 21, Marion joined the domaine, and by the age of 27, she had become a partner, taking on responsibility for both vinification and marketing. Now, she is positioning herself as one of the key figures of Chablis’ new generation. “We are a family estate, and I am the 5th generation,” she says. “For me, it’s a pride to meet people and share our expertise with them. Making wine is good, but selling it is even better.”

Marion’s approach reflects a blend of the tried-and-true and a contemporary sensibility. “Working with my father taught me to combine traditional and modern techniques, and bring my feminine touch to wine,” she says. “The new generation is closer to nature by practicing plowing for the soil, letting indigenous yeasts do their work for winemaking, but always innovating with modern containers such as the amphora.”

While Domaine du Colombier maintains its roots producing classic Chablis wines, Marion has adapted to today’s trends. To meet the growing demand for fresher, lighter wines, the estate now harvests earlier, employs low-temperature fermentation, and shortens the aging process. “Consumers are looking for fruity, light, refreshing wines that are meant to be drunk young,” she explains, highlighting how the domaine is making subtle adjustments without losing sight of its heritage.

Marion is also keenly aware of the environmental challenges Chablis faces, leading the estate toward sustainability. “We need to respond to societal demands by using cultural techniques that require fewer inputs and dry materials that can reduce the carbon footprint,” she says, showing that the future of Chablis is not just about innovation in the cellar but also in the vineyard. While she acknowledges the challenges of recent vintages, particularly due to climate change, she remains optimistic about Chablis’ future. “Chablis remains, in my view, an essential white wine of the world,” she says. For Marion, and the next generation she represents, the future of Chablis is bright, forward-thinking, and still deeply rooted in its terroir.

Domaine Grossot: Eve Grossot’s Vision for a Sustainable Chablis

Since joining Domaine Grossot in 2007, Eve Grossot has taken her family’s estate, founded in the 1920s, into a new era of winemaking. With 18 hectares spread across the Chablis and Chablis Premier Cru appellations, Eve has brought fresh energy and a modern mindset to the domaine. Under her leadership, the estate achieved organic certification in 2015, a move that has enhanced the health of the vines and the quality of the wines. 

“We began our conversion to organic farming in 2012 because it aligned with our philosophy,” Eve explains. “However, we now realize that our customers, especially younger ones, are very sensitive to environmental issues and that organic farming is an important lever for them.” She has also moved toward using native yeasts, reducing the use of sulfites and additives, and lowering the domaine’s carbon footprint by minimizing tractor passes. 

Eve’s background in hospitality, before stepping into winemaking, has given her a unique understanding of what modern wine consumers want, and she’s infused that awareness into the way she manages both the winemaking and marketing sides of the business. “We realize that attitudes are changing, and that the younger generation is increasingly interested in wine and how it is made. They need to consume a wine that aligns with their values.” 

With Eve at the helm, Domaine Grossot is not only staying true to its roots but also playing a key role in the future of Chablis, where sustainability and authenticity are central to the conversation.

Domaine William Fèvre: Saskia de Rothschild’s Vision for the Future of Chablis

With 90 parcels spanning 70 hectares, Domaine William Fèvre is not only the largest Grand Cru landowner in Chablis but also one of the region’s most forward-thinking estates. In January 2024, this iconic domaine entered a new chapter when it was acquired by Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite, ushering in a fresh perspective under the leadership of Saskia de Rothschild. 

As the youngest-ever president of the Rothschild wine empire, Saskia brings both deep respect for tradition and a desire to continue pushing boundaries in the world of fine wine. “What is wonderful about William Fèvre is that it’s already a very established and diverse vineyard,” she says. “Its size offers many possibilities, with the capacity to produce exceptional wines as well as more accessible everyday wines. Offering this diverse range allows us to stay grounded.”

Saskia’s leadership is at once thoughtful and intentional, rooted in a deep respect for all that deputy general director and longtime winemaker Didier Séguier established before her. She is also driven by a commitment to sustainability and a clear-eyed view of the challenges ahead. The domaine was the first in Chablis to be certified HVE (High Environmental Value), and, under her watch, became certified organic in 2023. “We have been pioneers, led by Didier Séguier and his nearly thirty years of work, in addressing environmental issues in Chablis,” Saskia explains. “And now all our vineyards are either certified organic or in the process of certification.” Climate change, particularly frost and hail risks, looms large over the region, and Saskia is leading efforts to implement more robust protection methods with a rising-tide-lifts-all-boats philosophy. “We strongly believe in frost protection methods and are testing through various approaches. If we can protect ourselves collectively, it is our duty to do so,” she notes.

Saskia’s vision goes beyond environmental stewardship; she is deeply passionate about preserving the purity of William Fèvre’s wines while making them accessible to a broader audience through connection and storytelling. “The goal is to get to know the enthusiasts of our wines better and to build closer relationships with them,” she says. “As soon as the bottles are opened, people are struck by the magic of the wines and their stories. Above all, it’s the unique terroirs of Chablis, along with the incredibly dedicated and passionate men and women, that excite me: there are no shortcuts here, and that pushes us to constantly surpass ourselves to always be better!” 

These efforts to engage with wine lovers inform all aspects of the business, whether through the domaine’s tasting room, which has seen increasing success, or educational tools aimed at helping wine enthusiasts understand what makes Chablis so unique. “What could be more magical for a Chablis lover than to discover our vineyards?” she asks. Under Saskia’s passionate and savvy leadership, Domaine William Fèvre remains a benchmark in Chablis while embracing the future with open arms.

Domaine Jean Dauvissat Père et Fils: Fabien Dauvissat’s Pursuit of Terroir-Driven, Sustainable Wines

Since taking over the family estate in 2009, Fabien Dauvissat has been on a mission to elevate the wines of Domaine Jean Dauvissat Père et Fils by emphasizing terroir and sustainability. With 22 hectares under vine, the estate produces Petit Chablis, Chablis, and five Chablis Premier Cru Climats, including Montmains and Vaillons. Fabien’s approach has been twofold: reimaging bottling to focus on long aging for more complex wines, and shifting the vineyard to sustainable practices. 

In 2019, the estate earned the HVE certification, further solidifying its commitment to environmental stewardship. “It’s a way that I find very interesting to produce terroir wines and thus enhance the link between the plant and the environment in which it grows,” Fabien explains. “Sustainable farming practices align with the expression and preservation of terroirs. I also believe that these practices enable us, and will continue to enable us, to better adapt to climate change.” His dedication to these principles was recognized in 2020 when he was awarded the Jeunes Talents trophy by the Groupe des Jeunes Professionnels de la Vigne (GJPV), an accolade given to outstanding young winemakers who demonstrate exceptional skill, innovation, and commitment to quality in their winemaking practices, marking him as one of the bright stars of Chablis’ new generation.

Fabien’s efforts go beyond sustainable vineyard work—he has also expanded the domaine’s range to include seven single-vineyard Chablis, all of which are crafted to highlight the specific characteristics of each plot. “We have primarily focused our efforts on offering a range centered on terroirs,” he says. “For the past three years, we have been producing 7 single-vineyard Chablis in addition to our 5 Premier Crus,” underscoring his belief that Chablis’ future lies in wines that speak directly to their origins. 

While Fabien acknowledges the challenges of recent vintages, particularly in 2024, he remains optimistic about the growing interest from consumers who are keen to learn more about the region and its wines. “I feel that consumers are becoming increasingly knowledgeable and eager to learn about our practices, terroirs, and more,” he says. With a deep respect for tradition and an eye on the future, Fabien is shaping Domaine Jean Dauvissat Père et Fils into a leading example of Chablis’ evolution—where terroir and sustainability go hand in hand.

The New Face of Chablis—Timeless, Yet Unapologetically Modern

What makes Chablis exciting right now is the way these next-gen winemakers are blending the best of both worlds. They’re staying true to the soul of Chablis—its exceptional terroir, its purity of expression—while pushing boundaries with organic farming, sustainable practices, and fresh perspectives that resonate with today’s wine lovers. They’re making Chablis wines that aren’t just timeless but utterly relevant to a new generation of drinkers seeking something more than just another bottle of Chardonnay.

Chablis has always been a place for wine lovers, and its future looks anything but dull. With this new wave of talent at the helm, the region is set to continue surprising and delighting those who crave wines that are equal parts classic and cutting-edge. Chablis isn’t just keeping up—it’s leading the way.