We initially crossed paths with Antoine Lepetit de la Bigne during his time with Domaine Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet. Over the last 15 years he has made a name for himself as a specialist in biodynamic viticulture, helping growers develop and succeed with organic and biodynamic farming methods in Burgundy. Needless to say, when the Becky Wasserman team introduced his new project- La Pierre Ronde - we paid attention. So, while most négociant’s were out of luck with short crop in 2021, the support Antoine earned with his community allowed him to produce a small first vintage.

The potential is here, Antoine’s wines are striking and, not surprisingly incredibly intellectual even in the most modest of appellations. Look forward to growing with him.

Antoine Lepetit de la Bigne has worked as a biodynamic consultant on several Burgundy estates - most notably at Domaine Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet, where he worked for 8 years. With Anne Claude Leflaive, he founded the École Du Vin et des Terroir in 2008, an intimate classroom for Burgundian growers looking to expand their knowledge in everything from plant bio-indicators to sensitive crystallization. Fun fact: Chisa Bize was a student of theirs.
In 2012, he published the widely regarded - What’s So Special About Biodynamic Wines: 35 Questions & Answers For Wine Lovers. After Anne-Claude’s untimely death in 2015 - he decided to leave Domaine Leflaive and create his own biodynamic consulting company “La Pierre Ronde” in 2016. It was here he began to cultivate relationships with many motivated growers in the region and gain their trust that inevitably led him to the idea of purchasing grapes and making his own wine.
Maison La Pierre Ronde’s first release includes one white from the Côte Chalonnaise, and another six whites and one red from the Côte de Beaune.
Antoine does not (at least not yet) farm any vineyards of his own. While he does not exclusively seek out certified biodynamic or organic fruit contracts, he is incredibly discerning in his choice of partners and thoughtful viticulture is a requisite.
For whites: Whole cluster pressing, Vaslin press. Likes to experiment with different aging vessels (barrel, foudre, amphora) and often prefers a combination so that the élevage stays in the background and the terroir prevails. This is particularly important to him in his first vintages due to the need to purchase new barrels and wait to “season” them. No fining and some filtration.
For reds: Whole cluster inclusion, short maceration, extraction by infusion, aging in recent (not new) barrels

Wines

Bourgogne Aligoté “Vieilles Vignes”

60+ year old vines from Ladoix-Serrigny at the foot of the hill of Corton on the eastern side on loam soil. Fermented and aged in a mix of foudre and barrel. Unfined and unfiltered.

Bourgogne Aligoté Jeunes Vignes

Planted in 2019. From the lieu-dit Les Champs Pernot, located downslope in the commune of Puligny-Montrachet, on silt and clay soils. Aged for 10 months in foudre (70%) and stainless steel tank (30%), followed by another 2 months blended together in stainless steel tank. No fining, light filtration.

Bourgogne Chardonnay

From vines near the village of Viré in the Maconnais, in southern Burgundy. Fermented and aged in a mix of 50% foudre and 50% barrel.

Bourgogne Cote d`Or Chardonnay

Planted early 2000s. Parcel in Saint Aubin, located above the village level wines on a steep slope of mostly limestone soils, overlooking the village of Gamay. Fermentation and aging on the lees for 12 months in foudre (65%) and in new barrels (35%), followed by another 3 months in stainless steel tank.

Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune Chardonnay

Planted early 2000s. From Nantoux on the “Montagne de Cras,” 410m altitude, on soil with a high limestone content. Aged for 10 months in new (25%) and used (75%) barrels, followed by another 2 months in stainless steel tank.

Rully Blanc Fromange

Located high on the slope on shallow white soils, exposure to lots of northern wind, late ripening site on the back border of Mercurey. Fermented and aged in barrel.

Saint Romain Blanc Le Jarron

Les Jarrons is the first vineyard you meet when driving up to Saint-Romain from Auxey-Duresses on the right-hand side. Southwest facing. Steep and rocky slope.

Meursault Les Perchots

Located on the northern border of En La Barre, mostly clay with limestone soils. Fermented and aged mostly in amphora (1/3) blended with 1 used barrel before bottling.

Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes Dessus

Fermented in two new 350 liter barrels with an additional 50 liters in tank. After 6 months (in March 2022), the wine was racked into amphora to continue élevage there. And finally blended in stainless steel tank for 4 months before bottling.

Corton Charlemagne

A blend from both the east-facing and west-facing sides of the hill. Fermented and aged in 1 new 350-liter barrel.

Bourgogne Pinot Noir Jeunes Vignes

Planted in 2018. From “Les Lavières” in Aluze, on shallow red-brown clay soil above layered limestone. 40% whole cluster, 8-day maceration with no added SO2 in stainless-steel tank with punch-downs and pump-overs. Aged for 10 months in used barrels (70%) and amphora (30%), followed by another 2 months in stainless steel tank.

Beaune Rouge Les Bons Feuvres

Located on the southern end of Beaune, bottom slope on way to Pommard. 1/3 whole clusters retained.

La Pierre Ronde