The Laroche family has been prominent in Chablis since the 17th century. Henri and Madeleine Laroche spent their entire lives building the family estate. Their son, Michel, took over in 1967, and built Domaine Laroche into a hugely successful enterprise. In 2010, he sold his stake in this business, keeping the historic vineyards that he had inherited, and began the process of creating a small family domaine with his wife, Cécile, and their children, Margaux and Romain. They called it Le Domaine d’Henri, in homage to his father.

They have designed a modern winery large enough to handle their current and estimated future needs for space, but small enough to be operated during most seasons by one or two people. They became fully certified organic in 2012, then stopped practicing in 2013 when the difficult vintage didn’t comply with being organic. They then went back to full organic certification in 2022.

They vinify parcel by parcel, using natural yeast and no fining or filtration. The grapes are whole cluster pressed and fermented in stainless steel, followed by ageing on the lees, usually in 600-liter Stockinger and Schneckenleitner barrels from Austria. There is no recipe here, though, and each vineyard is treated in a method that they deem suitable for that plot and the current vintage. Margaux even plays with some anfora for ageing – she finds that for plots heavy in clay the anfora shows the terroir better than oak. Sulphur is added at bottling only. They often age the wines in bottle for up to 4 years before release.

They also produce an introductory line made under the Michel Laroche et Ses Enfants label (Petit Chablis and Chablis only). The grapes are a mix of domaine fruit, and fruit purchased from reputable growers.

Petit Chablis (Michel Laroche et Ses Enfants)
100% organic. 80% domaine fruit, 20% purchased fruit. Average vine age is 30+ years old. The vineyards are located in the villages of Chablis, Fyé, Maligny & Beine, on chalky clay and limestone soils. These Petit Chablis parcels are mostly found on the crowns of the hills throughout the Chablis appellation. These are areas that historically were harder to ripen due to rocky soils and higher elevation, though that is no longer an issue with climate change. The wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel.

Chablis (Michel Laroche et Ses Enfants)
20% estate grown fruit, 80% purchased fruit. Average vine age is 30+ years old. The vineyards are located in the villages of Chablis, Fyé, Maligny & Beine on chalky clay and limestone soils. The parcels are mostly found mid-slope throughout the Chablis appellation. Stainless steel fermentation and ageing, this is textbook Chablis!

Chablis Saint Pierre
Named after the Saint Pierre church, which was built in the 12th century. Made from vines planted in 1988, 1989 and 2001 on Kimmeridgian soil. Vinified in stainless steel and aged in 70% stainless steel, 20% oak, and 10% anfora.

Chablis 1er Cru “Fourchaume”
Half of this vineyard was planted 1964, and the other half in 1999, with some remaining vines that were planted in 1937. The Kimmeridgian escarpment of Fourchaume faces southwest, so the vines bask in the warm afternoon sun. Vinified in 70% stainless steel tanks to preserve the minerality and freshness, and in 30% oak barrels to add more complex notes.

Chablis 1er Cru “L'Homme Mort Vieilles Vignes”
Planted in 1970, this parcel reflects the nobility of the Fourchaume appellation. The Kimmeridgian escarpment of Fourchaume is reputed to produce some of the best Chablis wines, and the southwest exposure means the vines bask in the warm afternoon sun. Vinified in 75% stainless steel tanks to preserve the minerality and freshness, and 25% in oak barrels to add more complex notes.

Chablis 1er Cru “Vaulorent”
This is very special plot within an already highly regarded 1er Cru. This Lieu Dit within the 1er Cru of Fourchaume is in fact the only 1er Cru that sits on the actual Grand Cru slope, on the boundary line with Les Preuses. Just 0.4 of a hectare, the vines are now 45-years-old, planted in 1976. Aged in 35% Amphora and 65% Stockinger barrels.

Chablis Premier Cru “Fourchaume Héritage”
The Cuvée Héritage is dedicated to the memory of their grandfather, Henri. Hand harvested and hand selected, this is a “première trie”, or selection, of the finest grapes from their oldest parcel of vines, planted in 1937. Vinified and aged in 70% stainless steel tanks and 30% in oak barrels, this is an elegant, precise, yet racy wine, that expresses the tension and refreshing minerality associated with the great Chablis terroirs. For Henri, this was the purest expression of the Chardonnay grape.