The most sublime and the most celebrated estate of Chablis, the wines of Domaine Raveneau are a rare find�exceptional because the vineyard holdings are almost entirely made of grand cru and premier cru fruit, painfully finite as so few are produced, outstanding because of their tremendous quality and consistency, and unusual given the modesty of the vignerons who create these world-class wines. 
 
The domaine was created in 1948, when Fran�ois Raveneau consolidated his holdings with his wife�s family�s vineyard parcels. Though his father had spent years selling off prime parcels, Fran�ois was doing his best to bring new ones back into the hands of the domaine. The reputation of this elusive and somewhat stoic vigneron spread quickly, as his style was easily recognizable as far superior to the growing trend of innocuous, somewhat uniform Chardonnay. The domaine�s production has always been miniscule, and Kermit fought in vain throughout the seventies to add these wines to his portfolio. The relationship started with the 1979 vintage and has continued solidly ever since. Today, Fran�ois� sons, Bernard and Jean-Marie, direct the domaine, yet stay true to their father�s philosophy in both the vineyards and the cellar.
 
The Brothers Raveneau are a dream team. They carry the family torch with pride, yet with a reserve, pragmatism, and humility that is more likely found among true farmers than the artists they are. There is no set division of labor between the brothers, just �all hands on deck,� as each one brings his own expertise to the mix. Jean-Marie attended the Lyc�e Viticole in Beaune, and has been with the domaine since 1978. In 1995 when Fran�ois retired, Bernard finally joined his brother at the domaine after years of working for a n�gociant.Together, they farm nearly eight hectares of land, including three grand cru vineyards (Blanchot, Les Clos, and Valmur) and six premier crus (Mont�e de Tonnerre, Les Vaillons, Butteaux, Chapelot, Mont-Mains, and For�t).  In a cool climate like Chablis, vines find their strength in the rich clay and chalky limestone of the Kimmeridgian chain.