Patrice et Michèle Rion

Patrice Rion and his wife Michèle began their own small domaine with just two wines, an outstanding Bourgogne Rouge Bons Batons and the sumptuous Chambolle Musigny les Cras, in 1990 while Patrice continued as winemaker at the Domaine Daniel Rion.

Since he left the latter in 2000 he has added Chambolle Musigny les Charmes and Nuits St Georges Clos des Argillières (his share from the family domaine) and in 2005 Nuits St Georges Terres Blanches (white), some more Argillières and the monopole Nuits St Georges Clos St Marc in 2006. Also from 2006 he has entered an agreement to manage the vineyards and purchase the grapes from a small estate in Chambolle which includes some Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses and grand cru Bonnes Mares.

To complement this range there are some additional cuvées, notably Chambolle Musigny and Nuits St Georges vieilles vignes, made from purchased grapes.

The wines are made in Patrice’s purpose built small winery in Prémeaux. Patrice was one of the first to train his vines higher than the Burgundy standard, to increase the canopy without shading the grapes, which gives better ripening and colour. He is also frequently an innovator in the cellar and offers some wines (Bourgogne Bon Batons, white wines, half bottles) in stelvin screwcaps. The grapes are sorted on two tables de tri, one before destemming and the other after. The whole berries are conveyed to their stainless steel vats for a cuvaison of about three weeks: 7 days at 11/12°, followed by 2 weeks fermentation and post-fermentation, not exceeding 32°. There are now two barrel cellars so that each vintage can be aged for 18 months without racking. Most wines now receive 50% new wood.

Patrice’s style is for very pure, harmonious wines, skilfully vinified and then matured in oak barrels with a well judged percentage of new oak (usually 50% new) for 18 months, without racking or fining.


Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Clos des Argillières                0.72 ha
Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Clos St Marc                             0.93 ha
Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Terres Blanches Blanc          1.30 ha
Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes                      0.46 ha
Chambolle Musigny Les Cras                                             0.46 ha

Chambolle Musigny Les Cras
From the upper part of the vineyard which is classified as village Chambolle. Nonetheless, despite the elevation and the very light soil, this produces a relatively dark coloured, intense Chambolle which ages well.

Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Clos St Marc
It was fascinating how the Clos St Marc which is almost surrounded by Clos des Argillières, differs from the latter in taste. It is a richer, plumper, more succulent wine, the vines’ roots seemingly enjoying a rich and varied topsoil before reaching the mother rock.