Supplier Story: Tonnellerie Billon & Meursault's Antoine Jobard close partnership

Bouchard Cooperages is very proud to represent the prestigious Tonnellerie Billon, based in Beaune and the sister cooperage to Meursault's Tonnellerie Damy. 

Tonnellerie Billon, managed by Vincent Damy with their French Sales Manager, Quentin Tilman for over 20 years work exclusively with one of the pearls of Meursault: Domaine Antoine Jobard. This high profile producer uses Billon barrels and puncheons exclusively for its production of Côte de Beaune chardonnay and pinot noir.

For those interested, the same Billon barrels Antoine Jobard uses for the production of these wines are currently available from stock inventory in California, Oregon, Washington, Virginia and Ontario. 

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Tonnellerie Billon - Beaune, France 

Tonnellerie Billon was founded in 1947 by Gaston Billon, is located in Beaune and produces on average 8,000 premium barrels and puncheons based on different forest origins and grain tightnesses. The cooperage was acquired by the Damy family and is managed by Vincent Damy who has overseen renovations, modernisations and in 2007 was awarded the prestigious "Meilleur Ouvrier de France" title in recognition to his craftsmanship.

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From Domaine François & Antoine Jobard..

Meursault's Jobard family have been farming grapes for over five generations and the domaine's roots can be traced back to 1860. The name Jobard is synonymous with some of the greatest chardonnay producers of Meursault. The domaine now encompasses 12 hectares of vineyards spanning across: Meursault, Saint Aubin and Puligny Montrachet .. with more recent vineyard holdings planted to pinot noir in Pommard, Beaune and Volnay. 

..To Domaine Antoine Jobard

Fifth generation Antoine joined his father's team in 2000 and in 2007 took over full management of the family domaine. Based in Meursault, the Jobard's "ageworthy" winemaking style lends itself to focused, precise, taught, structured and not over the top reductive styles of chardonnay which are true to their beautiful terroirs. Antoine's desire to also pursue excellent terroir driven representations of pinot noir came to fruition in 2019 with significant Village and 1er Cru site acquisitions.

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Usage of Tonnellerie Billon at Domaine Antoine Jobard

Vincent Damy and Quentin Tilman recently delivered 228L barrels and 400L puncheons to Antoine in Meursault for the 2025 vintage who was in full harvest mode. 

Through trial and error, Antoine has found the sweet spot with Tonnellerie Billon, Allier, 2-Y Air Dry (the norm in Burgundy) Light Long toast on both his chardonnays and pinot noirs. 

On Chardonnay

Antoine favors reductive chardonnay winemaking with indigenous yeast barrel ferments, no batonnage or lees stirring and an extended élevage in barrel of 18-24 months before further aging in stainless steel prior to bottling. The light long toast paired with Allier oak provides structure, length and tension on the palate and a very slight aromatic toasty and woodiness without being overbearing. 20% new oak is used mainly on Antoine's village and 1er Cru's

On Pinot Noir

Antoine's pinot noir winemaking styles mimics his chardonnay style in terms of a minimal approach in the cellar with the use of whole clusters depending on the vintage in order to add additional spice and lift. Aging in barrel is limited to 12 months and the signature aromatic savoriness of Allier oak with a more restrained toast allows for added complexity on the nose and more length on the palate, coupled with beautiful integration. 

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