The Nicolle family’s roots in the village of Fleys trace back to the late 19th century. Just four kilometers from the town of Chablis, Fleys sits in the heart of Kimmeridgian limestone—soils formed over 150 million years ago when Burgundy lay beneath a warm sea. Fossilized oyster shells embedded in the rock continue to shape the signature salinity and tension of the region’s wines.

Domaine de la Mandelière was originally established in 1979 by Robert Nicolle and named by his wife, Josette Laroche, after a local lieu-dit near the Premier Cru vineyard Les Fourneaux. “Mandelière” refers to a basket maker—a nod to the willow reeds that once grew at the foot of the slope and to Josette’s appreciation for handcrafted work. Today, the domaine is guided by Charly Nicolle and his wife Lucie Thieblemont, representing the third generation of winemakers in Fleys. Robert remains active in the vineyards, maintaining the family’s deep connection to the land.

Charly began his own project in 1997 with less than one hectare while working alongside his father. Over time, he assumed stewardship of both his grandfather Paul Nicolle’s holdings and his father’s estate, uniting three generations of vineyards under his care. His peers in Chablis often describe him as a rising star—a vigneron deeply committed to both tradition and refinement.

The largest holdings of the domaine are in AOC Chablis surrounding Fleys, including Premier Cru parcels in Les Fourneaux and Mont de Milieu. Farming practices are certified HVE (High Environmental Value) with select parcels transitioning toward organic certification. Vineyard work is thoughtful and site-specific, adapted to microclimate and soil density, ensuring that each parcel expresses its unique character.

In the cellar, élevage is conducted primarily in small stainless-steel tanks on fine lees to preserve freshness and clarity. Approximately 20% of select cuvées are aged in large 400–500 liter neutral oak barrels to build mid-palate texture without masking minerality. Charly employs both short, wide tanks to encourage lees contact and taller, narrower tanks to reduce it—a nuanced approach that allows him to fine-tune texture and structure. The resulting wines are vibrant and precise, yet layered and rich on the mid-palate—unmistakably Chablis, but distinctly Nicolle. Beyond still wines, Lucie and Charly produce a Crémant de Bourgogne from Pinot Noir grown near Fleys. Drawing on Charly’s early experience working in Champagne, every stage from vinification to hand riddling to disgorgement à la volée is completed entirely in-house, an uncommon level of craftsmanship for the category.

Domaine de la Mandelière today represents the quiet power of village-rooted Chablis: mineral, precise, textural, and deeply authentic.