Nestled atop the Mad Hill, Domaine de la Folie is a historically significant Burgundy estate steeped in history.
Three centuries of heritage are inextricably linked to the aristocracy of the Louis XIV era and the pioneering spirit of early 19th-century cinema.
Under the revival of the fifth-generation owners, this estate, weathered by time, is now eloquently revealing its enduring humanistic depth and character.
The estate has been controlled by the Noël-Bouton family for three centuries without changing hands, a rarity in Burgundy where property ownership is highly fragmented and frequently shifting.
Its founders can be traced back to the Marquis de Charmilles, a French marshal during the reign of Louis XIV. This pure military and aristocratic background laid a very traditional historical foundation for the winery.
This is the most fascinating and unique aspect of the winery's history.
When Burgundy wineries are mentioned, people usually think of winemakers who have toiled the land for generations. However, Folie produced a giant who influenced the history of science and film—Etienne-Jules Marey.
He is an ancestor of the current owner's family, active in the 19th century. In 1890, Marey utilized the winery's unique hilltop location to set up his rotating photography equipment in the pine forest to capture bird flight.
Region
Domaine de la Folie is located in the village of Rully in the Côtes Châlonnaises of Burgundy, atop La Montagne de la Folie (or literally "Mountain of Madness"). This mountain was once considered a playground for fairies and goblins (Folie in French means not only madness and passionate love, but also "luxury amusement park"). The name "La Folie" is very old; some historians speculate that it may have originated from the dance of the fairies, "La Folia." It is said that the locals (Chagnotins) used to often watch the moonlight shimmer in the night sky, and the fairies danced at night. This adds a legendary touch to the winery. Domaine de la Folie is distributed by Tiandiren Wine Cellars, and in Taiwan, we call it "Fuleyuan Winery."
Winemaking
The best plots of land in Rully are located on the eastern slopes of Montagne de la Folie (Mountain of Madness), enjoying abundant sunshine and excellent drainage. The terroir is also very similar to that of Puligny-Montrachet, contributing to the wines' freshness and minerality.
Domaine de la Folie owns two Premier Cru vineyards here, Clos du Chaigne blanc and Clos Saint Jacques blanc, both among the village's finest plots, featuring vines as old as 80 years. The vines are more concentrated than those in the village and possess exceptional aging potential!
In addition, the winery invited its neighbor, former DRC owner Aubert de Villaine, to serve as a winemaking consultant, which further enhanced the already excellent quality and proved the immense potential of Domaine de la Folie.
