Domaine Ballorin

Today, the estate cultivates about six hectares across 23 small plots in the Côte de Nuits, including parcels in Marsannay, Fixin, Morey-Saint-Denis, and Nuits-Saint-Georges.

Gilles Ballorin, the son of a railway worker, spent many years working with large companies in Burgundy before deciding in 2005—after about a decade of experience with cooperatives and a négociant—to found his own winery. Starting with just 0.2 hectares of vines in Chenôve, he and his wife Fabienne turned a passion into a professional endeavor. That very first year, they expanded by renting additional land, which allowed them to build a small estate totaling seven hectares.

By 2008, Ballorin had already transitioned to biodynamic farming and earned Demeter certification. From the beginning, his aim was to reflect the true character of the terroir in his wines while pursuing a philosophy rooted in nature. Today, the estate cultivates about six hectares across 23 small plots in the Côte de Nuits, including parcels in Marsannay, Fixin, Morey-Saint-Denis, and Nuits-Saint-Georges.

Although the domaine is relatively young and not backed by a long-standing winemaking family, Ballorin has benefited from the freedom to take an innovative approach. The winemaking process follows a philosophy of minimal intervention: hand-harvesting, spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts, and aging in used French oak barrels. This modern mindset allows for clear, unburdened winemaking decisions, all while striving to create excellent wines that must stand on their own merit, without relying on historic prestige.

Today, Domaine Ballorin & F is gaining recognition among international critics and wine enthusiasts. Allen Meadows of Burghound has described the domaine as an exciting source of high-quality yet affordably priced Burgundy. The Marsannay cuvée "Les Échezots" has received multiple accolades and stands as proof of the success of their biodynamic approach. The estate now produces around 20,000 bottles annually, with consistent growth in both quality and visibility.