Domaine des Coteaux de Dornot

History of the Estate

How was your Estate founded? Who founded it? What motivated you?

Patrice Bert - In the 90s, my father planned to bring viticulture back to life in Dornot. So, he started buying plots on the slopes. This groundwork was a prerequisite to complete his ambitious project.

From 2000, I joined him to work, level and modify the plots where the young vines were to be planted.

In 2001, we planted pinot noir and pinot gris vines according to viticultural tradition to give the vine stocks time to reach a certain level of maturity. This is when our adventure truly began.

In Autumn 2004, the vines produced their first fruits to make our very first vintage which left our vats in 2005.

This promising and pleasing vintage already encouraged us to extend the Estate from 2005 on. We therefore planted an extra 1.2 acres of pinot noir and pinot blanc; then a further 2.5 acres of pinot gris, auxerrois and chardonnay.

In the spring of 2015, we started building a state-of-the-art cellar. After three years of hard work, we had finished our unique tool for production. 

I had always basically wanted to go into business with my father and create a product. We were both really interested in how wines are created. 
My father Marcel used to be a part-time farmer prior to his retirement. We are a family-run Estate, which grows a variety of crops. We both have other professions. This was an excellent basis for creating a wine Estate, which combines passion, personal involvement, professionalism, and perseverance. 

Our vineyard is a small-scale family-run business, the younger members also help us out. My children love the fact that I am a wine producer, they are well-aware and proud of what we do. A fun fact for you, my son Hugo used to help me with the bottles from the tender age of 3! My son and daughter helped make the wine labels. Each child chose their own sign, Hugo chose the infinity symbol for the Nuances vintage, whilst Nina picked the peace symbol for the Opus vintage. 

What training do you have?

PB - I have done various courses and placements in other wine estates. Creating the Estate required a lot of work.

The quest for excellence is what made the Estate what it is now.

Wine tourism services

What wine tourism services do you provide on the Estate?

PB - We organise vineyard and cellar tours as well as tastings. Showing people around the Estate and telling them about our wines can take from 30 minutes to several hours.
Visitors book an appointment at a time that suits them, the tour is then tailor-made to their needs. Our tasting cellar can accommodate private individuals, or professionals, in particular restauranteurs, who are always very enthusiastic. The appointments may be made directly with the Estate or via the Tourism Board. 
For bigger groups (of more than 20 people) we serve food that pairs with the wines.

Another fun fact, with that family spirit in mind as ever. My father had horses, cows and the children used to love seeing them during their visits. My children also often explain to the other children what their dad’s and grandad’s job is like using their own words. 

Projects

What future plans do you have for your Estate? 

PB - We are currently in a phase of reflection and development regarding various matters and in many fields. We want to extend the vineyard, create new vintages, whilst imagining new projects around wine, both inhouse and outside. I have lots of different ideas, it is all about making the right choices. 

After all, as I like to say, “life is worth living if we live it like a dream.” I also like to quote Gandhi: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Current situation

What is your Estate’s surface area and geographic situation?
PB - The vines situated on Dornot’s hills overlook the Moselle River and enjoy an ideal sunny exposure for our region, which allows the fruit to mature until harvest time.

Could you tell us about your production? What sort of products do you sell on the Estate? How much do you produce, how many bottles?

PB - We produce approximately 17,000 bottles a year of pinot gris, pinot blanc and pinot noir varieties. 

Genuine elixirs which allow people to really cherish the moment.

How would you describe the three wines you have selected? 

PB - My children helped chose two of the wine names.

All three vintages can be enjoyed “au naturel’ for pre-dinner drinks. Their aromas speak for themselves.

Our Nuances vintage is a blend of auxerrois and pinot blanc grape varieties. This is my son Hugo’s vintage, he chose the infinity symbol with me, representing the infinity of beautiful things, love, and things done conscientiously with family.
This wine is limpid, and bright with an intense gold robe. Its nose reveals white flower, peach, and violet aromas. Its supple and full palate with tangy notes of lemon goes well with seafood, fish, or steak tartare dishes.

Opus is my daughter Nina’s vintage with a peace symbol on its label.
This is also a bright white wine with an amber-yellow robe. It has a very complex aromatic nose with notes of smoke, apricot and honey. Its generous, delicate palate with a freshness that reveals notes of yellow fruits and spices goes well with salmon and asparagus, veal blanquette stew etc.

Our red pinot noir réserve has a shiny deep ruby-red robe. Its generous nose reveals aromas of redcurrants, blackberries, and cranberries. Its silky taste is reminiscent of red berries, sour cherries, and liquorice, which goes well with Thai beef salad, seared meat, cheese, and meat platters.