Nestled in Viré, in the heart of the Mâconnais, Domaine Le Virolys was born from Laurent Gondard’s desire to give a more personal expression to his work, after more than 22 years spent in a cooperative winery. Founded in 2008, the estate now spans 22 hectares and focuses primarily on the Viré-Clessé and Mâcon-Villages appellations. This journey gives the domaine a distinctive identity, combining deep local expertise with a more individual, terroir-driven approach.

The vineyards thrive on clay-limestone soils, ideally suited to Chardonnay, the region’s emblematic grape variety. In the vineyard, the work is based on traditional practices that respect the environment, with careful manual interventions and controlled yields. In the cellar, indigenous yeast fermentations and ageing on fine lees for 8 to 12 months preserve the purity of the fruit while bringing texture, depth and overall balance to the wines.

One of the domaine’s most distinctive signatures lies in its labels, featuring a stained-glass motif inspired by the Abbey of Cluny, referencing a 12th-century Cluniac coin. Far from being anecdotal, this detail reflects the estate’s strong connection to the history and heritage of its region, echoing in the glass a sincere, rooted and elegant expression of the Mâconnais.