Chateau de Messey, Macon-Cruzille Clos des Avoueries 2022

Le Clos des Avoueries is a high altitude vineyard (390 m on average), surrounded by woods and old walls. It is exposed to the east, facing Mont Blanc. It is a monopoly of the estate. Its soil is composed of red clay on a limestone slab. The estate is in conversion to organic farming. After hand-picking the grapes, they are naturally vinified with only 1 input: SO2 at low dosage. Alcoholic fermentation is lasts between three and nine months, during which the malolactic conversion usually
takes place as well. Bottling is preceded by light filtration.

The history of the Chateau de Messey estate begins with the acquisition of a 7.85ha wood in the village of Cruzille by Marc Dumont. Thisterroir, originally planted and operated by the monks of Cluny in the 12th century, is located in the Macon-Cruzille appellation. Dumont replanted the fairly high-altitude vineyard in 1989. Three years later, Chateau de Messey had its first harvest. The vinification took place at thechateauin Ozenay. In the same year, a parcel of Macon-Chardonnay was planted opposite the chateau on theterroircalled "les Crets".

The Clos des Avoueries is amonopole, which today has 5.30ha of vines in the Macon-Cruzille appellation. The historical vineyard is enclosed by boxwood, small oaks and old walls. It is exposed to the east and is situated at an altitude (400 m), resulting in wines with lots of freshness. Its terroir, very particular in the Maconnais, is composed of a thin layer of red clay on a very compact limestone slab giving the wines a mineral character.