HISTORY OF DOMAINE: Jean-ClaudeThevenet is a third generation "vigneron" whose winery is located in the heart of the Maconnais in the village of Pierreclos. His grandfather was the winemaker for the Chateau de Pierreclos and his father developed a business as a supplier of rootstock. Between 1950 and 1952, Thevenet's father began to acquire vineyards and in 1971 when Jean-Claude reached the age of 17 they began to bottle their wine. The Thevenets now own 25 hectares of vineyards in the adjoining communes of Pierreclos, Prisse, and Rilly Lamartine.

COMPOSITION OF DOMAINE: The vineyards, planted mostly to Chardonnay, are spread among two major appellations: St. Veran and Macon-Villages (Pierreclos). Thevenet also produces a Bourgogne Rouge and a Macon Rouge as well as an outstanding sparkling wine composed entirely of Chardonnay. The grapes for the Macon Pierreclos come from two select parcels: Margot and Chavigne. Average yield from these vineyards is approximately 60 hectolitres per hectare; approximately 25,000 bottles are produced annually. The St. Veran comes from an exclusive vineyard site in Prisse, the "Clos de l'Ermitage". The major part of this "clos" is planted to vines 45 to 70 years of age and the wine from this parcel is bottled separately. Yields average 42 hectolitres per hectare with annual production of 13,000 bottles. Not a single drop of wine is sold to negociants.

METHOD OF VINIFICATION: The entire harvest in done manually. The whites are vinified at controlled, low temperatures. After the alcoholic fermentation the wine is racked to eliminate the gross lees. All wines complete malolactic fermentation. The wines are left on the lees until bottling. There is a light fining and minor filtration with "kisselguhr". The whites are not aged in oak. The sparkling wine is vinified pursuant to the traditional rigors of the champagne method and is left on the lees between 12 and 18 months before being disgorged.