Harvesting began a few days earlier than planned this year, Saturday September 2nd. For our first day, we recruited a small team of friends and family to harvest two parcels that were ready and we felt couldn't wait. The Santenay 1er Cru les Gravières- Chardonnay and our small plot of Pommard La Combotte.

Two days later, our main team of grape harvesters arrive. We are now ready for a long week of picking!

The weather is mostly sunny and although we had a few drops of rain in the middle of the week we have not been delayed too much. The harvest is very promising. The sorting table is ultimately of little use because the grapes are beautiful. In addition, we are fortunate to have been spared by the hazardous weather and the yields are good overall.

The first juice has been tasted and the potential natural degrees range from 12.5 to 13.5%. Almost sunshine in a glass, therefore it should not be necessary to chaptalize.

The quality is strong this year.

After several days of picking in the vines, the hardest days of harvest have past and the last cases of grapes arrive in the cuverie. We finish our harvest on Tuesday, September 12th, 10 days after starting.

It is now time to thank the workers and celebrate these beautiful grapes received for wine making. "La Paulée" takes place on the evening of Wednesday September 13th. Our chef of the evening is Romain Lacroix of L'Episode restaurant in Meursault who cooks our fantastic meal.  A very festive party for a great harvest. It is now time for us to immerse ourselves in the vinification of this vintage. Another big thank you to the pickers and the whole team. We can not wait to see you for the 2018 harvest!

Domaine Jessiaume