Jaeger-Defaix

Jaeger-Defaix is a family-owned winery located in Rully, South Burgundy, in the Côte Chalonnaise region. It was established by Hélène Jaeger-Defaix, who inherited her first vineyard, Rully 1er Cru Mont-Palais, in 2002 from her great-aunt Henriette Niepce. Hélène’s vision was to continue the Niepce family's rich winemaking heritage, which dates back to the 16th century. Her great-grandfather, Henri Niepce, was a significant figure in the region, instrumental in securing Rully’s appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) status in the 1930s. Today, Jaeger-Defaix oversees vineyards in Rully's prestigious 1er Cru sites, producing both white and red wines with a limited production which ensuring a focus on superior quality.

The vineyards of Jaeger-Defaix span 4.5 hectares of only 100ha of premier cru vineyards in the entire Rully appellation. Jaeger-Defaix's vinyeards are exclusively situated on Rully’s Permier Cru sites, including Mont-Palais, Les Cloux, and Rabourcé planted to Chardonnay, and Préaux and Clos du Chapitre for Pinot Noir. Vines have an average age of 35 years and are hand-harvested. The winemaking philosophy of the estate emphasises minimal intervention, preserving the purity and terroir-driven character of the wines,and Hélène employs traditional Burgundian techniques, including oak barrel fermentation, to craft elegant wines that showcase the depth and complexity of the region’s limestone-rich soils.

Sustainability is central to Jaeger-Defaix’s ethos, with the winery committed to environmentally conscious practices and minimal intervention winemaking. Vineyards have been cultivated organically since 2009 eschewing synthetic chemicals and focusing on maintaining soil health and biodiversity. This approach reflects Hélène’s dedication to preserving the land for future generations while producing wines of exceptional quality and authenticity.