Burgundy, France
François Raveneau
The King of Chablis
Est. 1948
About the Estate
Raveneau is widely considered the greatest producer in Chablis. The wines close down in youth and can seem austere, but given 10-15 years they develop a complexity that nothing else in the appellation matches. François Raveneau married Andrée Dauvissat in 1948, combining his purchased vineyards with parcels from the prestigious Dauvissat wine family. During the 1960s and 70s, when Chablis was in economic crisis and land was cheap, François acquired exceptional vineyard holdings at low prices. American importer Kermit Lynch discovered the wines in 1976 and brought them to international attention from 1979 onwards. Jean-Marie Raveneau took over winemaking by 1984, and brother Bernard joined in 1995. The fourth generation (Isabelle and Maxime) joined between 2010 and 2017. The estate owns prime parcels in Grand Crus Les Clos, Blanchot and Valmur, plus six premier cru vineyards including Montée de Tonnerre and Butteaux.
Grape Varieties
Chardonnay
Heritage & Milestones
A journey through time, celebrating the moments that defined our legacy
Raveneau Domaine Born
François Raveneau officially forms Domaine Raveneau in 1948 by consolidating his own vineyards with those of his wife’s family (the Dauvissats), uniting two great Chablis lineages
Next Generation Steps In
François’s elder son Jean-Marie joins the family domaine in 1978 after vintner training, marking the start of Raveneau’s second generation actively working together
Brothers at the Helm
In 1995, upon François Raveneau’s retirement, his younger son Bernard joins Jean-Marie at the domaine. The two Raveneau brothers carry on their father’s traditional winemaking philosophy, ensuring continuity of quality and style
Founder’s Passing
François Raveneau dies in 2000, having established the domaine as Chablis’s benchmark. His sons continue tending the eight hectares of prized vineyards with the same quiet excellence that François instilled
Raveneau Domaine Born
François Raveneau officially forms Domaine Raveneau in 1948 by consolidating his own vineyards with those of his wife’s family (the Dauvissats), uniting two great Chablis lineages
Next Generation Steps In
François’s elder son Jean-Marie joins the family domaine in 1978 after vintner training, marking the start of Raveneau’s second generation actively working together
Brothers at the Helm
In 1995, upon François Raveneau’s retirement, his younger son Bernard joins Jean-Marie at the domaine. The two Raveneau brothers carry on their father’s traditional winemaking philosophy, ensuring continuity of quality and style
Founder’s Passing
François Raveneau dies in 2000, having established the domaine as Chablis’s benchmark. His sons continue tending the eight hectares of prized vineyards with the same quiet excellence that François instilled
Vineyard Location
Burgundy, France
Terroir
The vineyards sit on Kimmeridgian clay-limestone studded with fossilised oyster shells, the geological signature of true Chablis. Vine age is exceptional, with some parcels dating to the 1930s and 1940s. Raveneau is one of only about five producers in Chablis that still hand-harvests. The wines are aged in old 132-litre feuillettes, a traditional Chablis barrel size that almost nobody else uses, combined with indigenous yeast fermentation.
Available Wines
Discover our curated selection from François Raveneau
