Iconic Winemakers of Wines Direct


At Wines Direct, we seek out winemakers who are more than just skilled craftsmen—they are leaders, mavericks, and, at times, rule-breakers. These are the bold individuals who refuse to conform, choosing instead to push boundaries, challenge expectations, and redefine what exceptional wine can be.

What Makes a Winemaker Iconic? 
An iconic winemaker isn’t measured by popularity or mass production. They are the disruptors, the visionaries who:
 
🔥 Rewrite the Rules – They refuse to follow the beaten path, forging their own way to create wines that defy convention.
🔥 Obsess Over Perfection – Every decision, from vineyard to bottle, is made in pursuit of something extraordinary.
🔥 Master Both Tradition & Innovation – They honour the past while daring to shape the future.
🔥 Fearlessly Express Terroir – Their wines are a pure, unfiltered reflection of the land they come from.
🔥 Stay Fiercely Independent – They answer to no one but their craft, their vines, and their relentless drive for quality.
 
These are the winemakers who set the standard, who refuse to compromise, and who dedicate their lives to making wines that demand to be experienced.
 
Discover the rebels, the pioneers, the game-changers, the winemakers who make wine worth talking about.


Chandon De Briailles 


Claude de Nicolay & her brother, François, are the current generation in a family estate that was founded in 1834. They have small plots totalling 34 acres dotted throughout some of Burgundy’s biggest names including; Savigny-lès-Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses and Aloxe-Corton.


Claude and François have not rested on the prestigious family name (they are related to the Chandon family of Moët & Chandon in Champagne). Since 2001 they have been on a journey towards fully biodynamic viticulture, a reaction to what they felt was the destruction of vineyards in Burgundy through profuse spraying with chemical pesticides and herbicides.



Find more about Chandon De Briailles HERE


Francois Mitjavile




François Mitjavile is a revered figure in the world of French winemaking, known for his meticulous craftsmanship and deep-rooted passion for producing exceptional wines in the Bordeaux region. The owner of Château Tertre Roteboeuf in Saint-Émilion and Roc de Cambes in the Côtes de Bourg, Mitjavile’s approach to winemaking is both traditional and avant-garde. His wines are celebrated for their opulent, rich flavours, and unique balance of power and finesse.




Find more about Francois Mitjavile HERE