Domaine Leovila

Domaine Leovila, a new chapter in Corgoloin

Léocadie Benech, from Bordeaux to the Côte de Nuits

Domaine Leovila is the brand-new project of Léocadie Benech, an agronomist and oenologist trained in Bordeaux. Before striking out on her own, she cut her teeth at several prestigious estates, from Château Figeac to Simon Bize and Dujac, before joining Didier Fornerol in Corgoloin. She worked by his side for several years, eventually vinifying the 2023 vintage and ultimately being chosen by Didier to take over the estate upon his departure. Leovila was officially born in 2024, with the first vintage entirely signed by Léocadie arriving in 2025.

6.5 hectares in the south of the Côte de Nuits

Léocadie has thus taken over approximately 6.5 hectares of vines around Corgoloin, in the far south of the Côte de Nuits, with plots in Bourgogne and Côte de Nuits-Villages. Naturally, this includes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but also Aligoté and Gamay, along with some very old vines, notably in the lieu-dit La Fée, which was planted nearly a century ago. Upon taking over, she immediately moved the vineyard toward organic farming, with a desire to continue letting these terroirs speak for themselves without seeking to disrupt what is already working well.

Fine, fresh Burgundy wines without excess

In the cellar, Léocadie strives above all for delicacy and freshness. Extractions are gentle, whole-cluster fermentation is used when she feels it is appropriate, and new oak remains very limited, at around 10% maximum. There is no intention of producing massive or overly demonstrative Burgundies: the reds focus on fragrance, fine tannins, and plenty of energy, while the whites maintain tension and beautiful precision. Les Arnolots, La Fée, La Montagne, Le Clos de Magny, and Les Perrières are already defining the identity of Leovila: an estate that is still brand new, but driven by vines with a history and a winemaker who clearly knows where she wants to take them.