The first members of the Protheau family cultivated vineyards in Mercurey in 1720. Generations of fathers and sons have continued to produce wine here, and the current winery (Chateau d’ Etroyes) was founded in 1930 by Francois Protheau. His son Maurice took over upon his father’s death in 1955, expanding and restoring the family vineyards. The winery was modernized in 1990 with stainless steel tanks, thermoregulation, robotic pigeage and pneumatic presses. Maurice passed away in 2005, leaving the winery to his children Michelle, Martine and Philippe. Today Philippe manages the vineyard, Martine vinifies the wines, and Michelle processes the orders from customers around the world.
The Protheau family estate comprises 50 hectares (123.5 acres) of vineyards in the Côte Chalonnaise; 38 ha in Mercurey and 12 ha in Rully. They produce Chardonnay, Aligoté and Pinot Noir.
