Florence et François Bachelier (Villy, Chablis, BOURGOGNE)

Vieilles Vignes of Florence and François Bachelier.

I was lucky to work for the guy who discovered Raveneau for the US —and the first wine he ever tasted and ordered in France was a 1973 Chablis-- specifically from Maurice Fèvre. Long before he would later describe François Raveneau in one of his early newsletters as "coldhearted," and refer to "the crusty old misanthrope" who would only sell his Premier Cru Chablis to the U.S. before eventually offering some Grand Cru Valmur.

Chablis played an early role in my wine career as well, and I was lucky to discover Raveneau during my retail days in Portland, Oregon (back when you could somewhat easily find Dauvissat and Raveneau on the shelves). It was the Chablis that introduced me to Chablis. At the time I never dreamed that I would get to know Isabelle and her father Bernard (François' son), regularly visit their cellars, and eventually discover a Chablis from one of their neighbors whose work in the vineyards seeks to rival the two best in the region.

I am honored to introduce the wines of Florence and François Bachelier, whose family has produced Chablis for 200 years, but in their generation have truly refined their métier. Florence is a cousin of a Chablis producer I had the pleasure to represent, and with her husband François they are the 8th generation to farm their eighteen hectares in Villy. Most of their vines are now over 60-years-old -- and included in their modest holdings is a tiny slice of the Chablis Premier Cru "Les Fourneaux," the only Premier Cru site in Chablis to face due South, like the Grands Crus.

Their old-vine and Premier Cru age gracefully in old barrels, while their textbook AOC bottling stays exclusively in tank. Most importantly, none of the Chablis are Malo-blocked, and consequently they stylistically echo my two other favorite producers in the appellation.

Given the short yields in 2021, we began by importing small amounts of 2020 and 2019 that they re-released. Please sign up for our newsletter to be advised of upcoming arrivals.

F&F Bachelier 2022 Chablis (pdf tech sheet)

F&F Bachelier 2020 Chablis (pdf tech sheet)

F&F Bachelier 2020 Chablis Premier Cru "Les Fourneaux" (pdf tech sheet)

F&F Bachelier 2019 Chablis Premier Cru "Les Fourneaux" (pdf tech sheet)

F&F Bachelier 2021 Chablis Vieilles Vignes (pdf tech sheet)

F&F Bachelier 2020 Chablis Vieilles Vignes (pdf tech sheet)

F&F Bachelier 2019 Chablis Vieilles Vignes (pdf tech sheet)