Olivier Merlin

Burgundy, France

Olivier Merlin (originally from the Charolais) is widely regarded as being one of the very finest wine makers in the Mâconnais He and his wife Corinne (a Montbéliarde) began in 1987. Since then he has been buying the property in stages as well as adding new vineyards such as St Véran (in 1994 & 1996).

He makes three cuvées of Pouilly-Fuissé (one each from Fuissé, Vergisson and Chaintré) and a Viré-Clessé. From 2000 some Moulin-à-Vent joined the stable. The single-vineyard wines, including Mâcon La Roche-Vineuse Les Cras and St Véran Le Grand Bussière, get 18 months barrel-ageing with 30-50 per cent new wood.

He has established a reputation as one of the region’s most dynamic growers, a reference point for the Maconnais. The whites demonstrate Olivier's exceptional winemaking talents from lowly appellations. They are frequently taken for Côte d'Or wines if tasted blind.