Domaine Jean MARSHALL
Domaine Jean Marshall – A New Path in Burgundy, Rooted in Legacy and Vision
In the quiet slopes of Nuits-Saint-Georges, Domaine Jean Marshall is reshaping the narrative of Burgundy. Just two hectares in size, this small domaine stands as a powerful example of how deeply personal, radically sustainable viticulture can produce wines that resonate with purity, purpose, and place.
A Legacy Reclaimed
The story begins in the 1960s, when Tim Marshall, originally from Yorkshire, became one of the first foreigners to settle in Burgundy and plant vines. Over decades, he patiently assembled parcels in some of the region’s most soulful terroirs. But the vineyard practices of the era came at a cost. Like many of his generation, Tim worked with chemical treatments without protection—handling products by hand, unaware of the long-term health risks. In later years, he developed illnesses now officially recognized as linked to vineyard work: Parkinson’s and prostate cancer. He passed away in 2015, leaving behind not only vines but a heavy legacy.
His son, Jean Marshall, took a different path—training as a psychiatric nurse and distancing himself from his father’s world for much of his life. But something eventually called him back. In 2022, after nearly 20 years of the estate being leased to Méo-Camuzet, Jean returned to reclaim the family land—not to preserve the past, but to reimagine it.
A Radical, Regenerative Viticulture
Jean farms his two hectares entirely by hand. No tractors, no diesel, no shortcuts. Every detail is guided by a holistic philosophy rooted in ecology, not industry. Inspired by vignerons like Lalou Bize-Leroy and Charles Lachaux, Jean’s approach treats the vineyard as a living ecosystem: one where vines, soil, trees, and microorganisms are all part of the same community.
He’s abandoned plowing to preserve delicate soil life and uses permanent cover crops. On the Perrières 1er Cru parcel, he’s planted a dozen trees—including peach and apricot varieties—to create shade, encourage fungal symbiosis, and regulate the microclimate. These fruit trees are sourced from a specialist organic nursery and are key to Jean’s regenerative vision: their roots form underground networks that “talk” with the vines, helping prevent disease and stress.
Even his vine training is reimagined. Where most posts between vines rise no more than one meter, Jean Marshall’s reach up to 1.5 meters, allowing for taller canopies. This encourages photosynthesis from above while shielding grapes from heat below—an elegant adaptation to climate change. Of course, this means more water demand and lower yields, but Jean is ready to adjust. Each vine is treated individually, according to its own needs and potential.
Wines Without Make-Up – A New Kind of Clarity
In the cellar, Jean’s approach is just as thoughtful. Fermentation starts naturally using a pied de cuve, and whole clusters are used entirely. Vinification is short and gentle, but the most striking feature is the total absence of oak.
Instead of barrels, Jean uses low-permeability ceramic vessels (from Clayver and similar producers) for élevage. These allow significantly less oxygen exchange—up to four times less than traditional French oak. The result is revelatory: no toast, no spice, no wood tannins. Just the raw expression of grape and terroir, unfiltered by the lens of oak.
The wines are strikingly pure. On simpler parcels, fruit aromas are delicate and restrained; on more expressive terroirs like Chambolle, the depth begins to unfold. Across the board, they feel linear, lifted, and effortlessly alive. Tasting them is like hearing a voice without amplification—startling at first, but honest and captivating.
To ensure this clarity, sorting is meticulous: grapes are hand-selected on a vibrating table, with no tolerance for flaws. In ceramics, every imperfection shows.
A Domaine to Watch
Jean’s first full vinification is in 2023, in a cellar he’s built in a narrow location of Nuits-Saint-Georges. The wines will be shipped to Hong Kong during the winter of 2025 for a launch in early 2026.
Domaine Jean Marshall is not about nostalgia. It’s about honoring the past while building a new future—with integrity, transparency, and respect for the land. This is Burgundy without pretension, without filters. Just vines, soil, time, and one man’s quiet revolution.
Imported exclusively in Hong Kong and Macau by Souveraine Limited
Bourgogne Blanc Aux Seurrets
Chambolle Musigny Village Les Athets
Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Aux Argillas
Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Les Perrieres
Chambole Musigny 1er Cru Cras
Chambole Musigny 1er Cru Feusselottes
