Domaine La Croix Montjoie

Located in the commune of Tharoiseau in the Yonne region, Domaine de La Croix Montjoie has been run since 2009 by Sophie and Matthieu Woillez, both agricultural engineers and oenologists. The estate's vineyards cover 10 hectares in the little-known Burgundy Vézelay appellation. This small up-and-coming appellation is located between Chablis and Beaune, and covers 4 communes over some 100 hectares. Domaine de la Croix Montjoie is named after the cross at the crossroads of the Vézelay and Tharoiseau roads.

The Croix Montjoie vineyard, planted mainly with Chardonnay grapes, lies on a south/southeast-facing slope, on stony clay-limestone soil containing giant Gryphae fossils. The vast majority of the domaine's production is concentrated on white wines, the flagship of the appellation, made from a single variety of Chardonnay. Three delicious cuvées are offered: Impatiente, Élégante and Voluptueuse. A red Irancy wine, a Crémant de Bourgogne with festive bubbles and the traditional Ratafia de Bourgogne complete the range of this promising domaine.

The appellation also has a sacred character, with the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene on the hillside of Vézelay overlooking the vineyards. This major pilgrimage site is a departure point for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.