The Marchand & Burch Collection is a distinctive collaboration between the old and new worlds of winemaking, combining the rich heritage of Bourgogne, France, with the emerging potential of Western Australia’s Great Southern region. Founded by Jeff Burch and Pascal Marchand, the collection represents a sophisticated expression of terroir, uniting two iconic wine regions and reflecting the unique character of each.
About
Discover our Australian & French Wines
history: when two men met in Bourgogne
It was 1990 when Jeff Burch crossed paths with Pascal Marchand in the cellars of Domaine Comte Armand in Pommard in the French wine region of Bourgogne. This chance encounter laid the foundation for a swift and enduring friendship, united by a shared passion for Pinot Noir. Two decades later, they embraced the possibilities of a unique collaboration, giving rise to the Marchand & Burch Collection. Since the 2007 vintage, Marchand & Burch has grown to represent a sophisticated expression of terroir through fine wines produced in Western Australia’s Great Southern region and the Côte d’Or in Bourgogne, France. Three decades on, the friendship persists, weaving an exhilarating and ever-evolving story through the wines.
Jeff Burch, owner of Burch Family Wines, and Pascal Marchand, a Burgundian winemaker, first found common ground in their understanding that fine wine should possess the distinctive imprint of its place. This notion is integral to winemaking in Bourgogne, where it is referred to as ‘terroir’. Jeff and Pascal’s vision was to apply this idea of terroir by working with nature to craft wines that best express the vineyards in which they were grown.
FROM THE NEW WORLD TO THE OLD…
Pascal Marchand’s journey into winemaking began in Montréal, Quebec, but it was in Bourgogne where his passion for the vine took root. He travelled widely, drawn by the role of wine in European culture, and in 1983 began his first harvest in Bourgogne through an exchange program. Mentored by some of the greatest winemakers of his generation, Pascal developed a philosophy rooted in “observing nature, understanding terroir, respecting the environment, and controlling yields.” His experiences in Bourgogne shaped his approach, blending respect for tradition with a global perspective and a desire to explore the potential of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in emerging wine regions, including Western Australia.
Meanwhile, Jeff Burch’s appreciation for fine wines was cultivated by his father and inspired by witnessing the rise of world-class red wines from Margaret River in the 1980s. This passion ultimately led him to transition from businessman to vigneron, establishing deep roots in both Margaret River and the Great Southern with Burch Family Wines. Jeff’s curiosity and dedication to crafting wines that reflect their place took him to the source, where his friendship with Pascal at Domaine Comte Armand inspired a shared vision of terroir-driven wines that bring together the elegance of Bourgogne and the bold landscapes of Australia.
…AND BACK AGAIn: the french and australian collection
The Marchand & Burch Collection includes both the ‘French Collection,’ which highlights the history and tradition of Bourgogne, and the ‘Australian Collection,’ crafted from Western Australia’s Great Southern region. Each collection reflects its terroir: the French wines embody the refined elegance and nuanced heritage of Bourgogne, while the Australian wines showcase the rugged, untamed beauty of the Great Southern. Together, these wines bridge two worlds, offering wine lovers the chance to explore both the established legacy of Bourgogne and the new world potential of Western Australia.
The Great Southern region of Western Australia, with its ancient soils, granite outcrops, and cool maritime climate, provides an ideal environment for cultivating both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. This wild, remote landscape contrasts with Bourgogne’s historic vineyards, yet both regions represent the Marchand & Burch vision: to produce wines that honour the essence of their origins.
Viticulture and sustainability
Marchand & Burch’s approach to viticulture is rooted in biodynamic principles, treating the vineyard as part of a greater natural system. For Pascal, biodynamics goes beyond agriculture; it’s a way to observe and work with nature’s rhythms, to respect its balance, and to foster vineyard health and quality. “There is a way of observing nature, of working with its forces rather than trying to control it. To me, that is the essence of biodynamics,” he says. Inspired by Bourgogne’s long history of traditional farming, Pascal’s approach represents a return to a way of working with, rather than against, nature.
Pascal began to embrace these ideas under the mentorship of legendary winemakers in the 1980s, moving away from over-cropped vineyards and synthetic viticulture towards a sustainable, organic approach. Today, these principles are applied to both French and Australian vineyards of Marchand & Burch. At the Mount Barrow vineyard in Western Australia, French Pinot Noir clones were introduced to deepen complexity, capturing the unique nuances of the region’s terroir. The Great Southern’s ancient soils and cool maritime climate provide a challenging but rewarding setting, yielding wines of depth and purity.
Viticultural practices at Marchand & Burch emphasise promoting soil health, balanced pruning, and canopy management to maintain the integrity of each vintage. The careful, sustainable treatment of each parcel of fruit allows the unique character of the vineyard to be expressed, honouring both tradition and innovation. In the winery, traditional methods are balanced with modern techniques to create wines that are an authentic expression of their terroir. As Jeff Burch reflects, “The ancient soils challenge us every season, but the rewards can be great…special wines from a truly unique terroir.”
Cellar Door
Our Cellar Door is open daily between 10am – 5pm.