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William Fèvre: Plot differences and previously used barrels
A domaine based in Chablis making white wines from Chardonnay. William Fèvre took over the family business in 1959, and in 2024 the domaine became part of Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite.
We will examine separately the plot locations, barrel ages, and ownership changes.
Questions for this course
Does 'average 6-year-old barrels' mean the wine is aged for six years?
Before you start reading, briefly jot down your thoughts. You will rephrase them at the end.
To applied practice using the material ↓
To explanation task notes ↓William Fèvre / Learn from the Producer
France / Burgundy / Chablis
Alternate names & notations: William Fèvre
Updated: 2026-10-06
Parcels along both banks of the Serein
They own about 70 ha divided into 90 plots on both banks of the Serein River. The Kimmeridgian soils alternate between marl and limestone, but not all plots are in the same location or share the same conditions. First, confirm which side of the river or the specific plot using a map.
Read the age of the barrel
It is explained that barrels averaging six years of use are employed for winemaking, with no new barrels. This 'six years' refers to barrel age. Although the unit is the same, the 'barrel aging period' in wine refers to a different topic and does not mean the wine was matured in barrel for six years.
Change of ownership and region
DBR Lafite acquired this domain in January 2024. Even though the group's name includes Lafite, this does not mean that the domaine is located in Bordeaux. This is an example showing the distinction between a company's ownership, the vineyard's location, and the wine's appellation.
What to align and what to compare.
Plot
- Conditions to standardize
- A domaine in Chablis
- Conditions for comparison.
- Both banks of the Serein and individual parcels
- Additional points to confirm
- Vineyard parcels for raw materials of each label
Time
- Conditions to standardize
- Winemaking using barrels
- Conditions for comparison.
- Barrel usage years and wine ageing period
- Additional points to confirm
- Aging specifications for each applicable vintage.
Affiliation
- Conditions to standardize
- William Fèvre
- Conditions for comparison.
- 2024 change of ownership
- Additional points to confirm
- Distinguishing from region and variety.
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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READ · HYPOTHESIZE · RECONSIDER
Reading William Fèvre materials: Plot differences and previously used barrels
Check and compare the region, raw materials, and process from the materials, and explain what can be learned from the comparison.
Comparative tables are based on the source’s target year and the explanation at the time of verification. Descriptions without year specifications are not treated as specifications common to all harvest years or shipped portions.
| Comparison items | Official explanation | Scope of interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| About 70 ha and 90 plots | Vineyard area and number of plots | Do not treat as a single homogeneous vineyard |
| Barrels with an average age of 6 years | Years of barrel use | Distinguish by wine aging period |
| January 2024 | Acquired by DBR Lafite | The Chablis region is other information |
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Read the explanation for each question
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What does an average of 6 years refer to?
It is explained that barrels averaging six years of use are employed for winemaking, with no new barrels. This 'six years' refers to barrel age. Although the unit is the same, the 'barrel aging period' in wine refers to a different topic and does not mean the wine was matured in barrel for six years.
What does the number 90 mean?
They own about 70 ha divided into 90 plots on both banks of the Serein River. The Kimmeridgian soils alternate between marl and limestone, but not all plots are in the same location or share the same conditions. First, confirm which side of the river or the specific plot using a map.
What does joining DBR Lafite tell us?
DBR Lafite acquired this domain in January 2024. Even though the group's name includes Lafite, this does not mean that the domaine is located in Bordeaux. This is an example showing the distinction between a company's ownership, the vineyard's location, and the wine's appellation.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Check and compare the region, raw materials, and process from the materials, and explain what can be learned from the comparison.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Official explanation | Scope of interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| About 70 ha and 90 plots | Vineyard area and number of plots | Do not treat as a single homogeneous vineyard |
| Barrels with an average age of 6 years | Years of barrel use | Distinguish by wine aging period |
| January 2024 | Acquired by DBR Lafite | The Chablis region is other information |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Using the vineyard area, barrel usage years, and the year the ownership changed, please introduce this domaine accurately and without misunderstanding.
Check after writing
- Distinguish between years of barrel use and wine ageing period.
- Do not confuse vineyard area with number of plots.
- Distinguish between change of ownership and production region.
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