Jerome Galeyrand

History of Domaine Jérôme Galeyrand

Originally from Mayenne, more precisely from Craon in the Val de Loire, Jérôme Galeyrand was not destined to become a winemaker. After eight years in the agri-food sector, he discovered his passion for the vine in 1996 during the harvest at Domaine Alain Burguet in Gevrey-Chambertin. This decisive encounter with the Burgundian terroirs would shape his entire career. He joined the viticultural institute in Beaune in 2001, also trained with Vincent Geantet at Domaine Geantet-Pansiot, and in 2002 acquired his very first parcel — a modest 0.05-hectare plot at the lieu-dit Les Retraits in Comblanchien.

From this seed, Domaine Jérôme Galeyrand grew step by step, parcel by parcel, to reach today more than 5 hectares spread across prestigious appellations of the Côte de Nuits. Recognised in 2020 with a star in the Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France, Jérôme Galeyrand is today considered one of the most exciting winemakers in Burgundy. Discreet, thoughtful and deeply committed to the expression of terroir, he continues his viticultural adventure with the same exacting standards as on the very first day, supported by his family and surrounded by loyal winemaker friends.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Jérôme Galeyrand

The vineyard of Domaine Jérôme Galeyrand extends over just over 5 hectares at the heart of the Côte de Nuits, with an exceptional diversity of appellations for such a small estate: Gevrey-Chambertin, Fixin, Marsannay, Côte de Nuits-Villages, as well as regional red and white Bourgognes. The domaine also produces several Aligoté cuvées, some of which come from grapes sourced from the Côte Chalonnaise and Bouzeron, from partners who share the same philosophy. The dominant grape varieties are Pinot Noir, followed by Chardonnay and Aligoté.

The entire vineyard has been farmed under certified organic agriculture (Ecocert) since 2019, with biodynamic practices (lunar calendar, herbal teas, decoctions). The soils are systematically ploughed to preserve microbial life, harvesting is done by hand, and treatments are limited to copper, wettable sulphur and natural preparations. This philosophy rests on a simple conviction, articulated by Jérôme Galeyrand himself: for a wine to be true to its terroir, the soil must be alive. The vines — some of which date back to 1925, 1932 or 1960 — thus yield grapes of exceptional purity, a direct expression of the Nuits climats.

Vinifications at Domaine Jérôme Galeyrand

In the cellar, Jérôme Galeyrand applies a minimalist approach to vinification — what he likes to call "working with fresh grape juice without technological or oenological processes". No industrial yeasts, no fining agents, no enzymes, no systematic chaptalization: only indigenous yeasts are used for fermentation. Depending on the cuvée and the vintage, a proportion of whole clusters (generally 15 to 20%) is retained to bring freshness, elegance and a delicate tannic grain. Fermentations take place without added sulphur, with punch-downs and a few gentle pump-overs.

Ageing lasts on average twelve to fourteen months in Burgundian barrels, with a sensible proportion of new oak (around 20%) to preserve the purity of the fruit. The wines are not fined and receive at most a light filtration if necessary. A minimal dose of sulphur is added at bottling to stabilise the wine, always decided by tasting. This approach, combined with respect for the lunar calendar in the cellar, gives birth to Burgundy wines that are precise, perfumed and infused rather than extracted, combining finesse, transparency and deep fidelity to their terroir.

The Cuvées of Domaine Jérôme Galeyrand

Bourgogne Aligoté Cuvée Alligotay: a taut and fresh Aligoté cuvée, a direct expression of a grape variety that Jérôme Galeyrand holds in particular affection. Controlled ageing, aromatic purity and a lovely saline finish characterise this accessible and flavoursome white Burgundy.

Bourgogne Aligoté Chaumont: a single-parcel Aligoté from a precise climat, vinified in a non-interventionist spirit. The wine offers a supple texture, floral notes and white fruit, with the mineral tension that is the signature of the domaine's whites.

Bourgogne Aligoté Blanche: a selective single-parcel Aligoté cuvée, crystalline and elegant. Indigenous fermentation and ageing in old barrels preserve the fruit, noble acidity and mineral signature of the grape variety.

Bourgogne Aligoté Le Cran: a taut and precise Aligoté, one of the domaine's emblematic white cuvées. Direct pressing, careful fermentation and ageing deliver a straight, energetic wine with perfectly mastered acidity.

Bourgogne Aligoté Le Poirossot: a single-parcel Aligoté of great finesse, aged without artifice. The terroir expresses itself through a saline and deep palate, illustrating the qualitative renaissance of this grape variety in Burgundy.

Bouzeron Aligoté Les Clous: the only village appellation dedicated exclusively to Aligoté in Burgundy, this wine comes from the Côte Chalonnaise. Sourced from partner growers farmed according to the same ethos, it delivers a noble, complex Aligoté of remarkable length.

Bourgogne Chardonnay Orane: a tribute to the winemaker's daughter, this Chardonnay cuvée is the result of direct pressing, fermented and then aged for approximately twelve months in barrels. The wine combines tension, delicate citrus notes and an elegant mineral backbone.

Bourgogne Pinot Noir Antonin: a vibrant, crunchy and luminous Bourgogne rouge, Antonin has become a benchmark of the domaine. Vivid red fruits (cherry, raspberry, wild blackberry), powdery tannins and fine linearity define this particularly successful entry-level Pinot Noir.

Marsannay Combe du Pré (Est-Ouest): Pinot Noir planted in 1980 on Ostrea Acuminata marls, at mid-slope. Vinified with 15–20% whole clusters and aged 12 to 14 months in barrels (20% new), it offers freshness, fruit and a well-balanced structure.

Marsannay Clos du Roy: a single-parcel cuvée from a renowned climat of Marsannay, at the northern tip of the Côte de Nuits. The Pinot Noir here expresses depth, sap and finesse, in an airy style with notes of small red fruits and gentle spices.

Marsannay Les Champs Perdrix: a single-parcel Pinot Noir from Marsannay, marked by fine energy and radiant fruit. The winemaker's light touch reveals a precise, fresh and flavoursome wine, faithful to the domaine's upright signature.

Fixin Champs des Charmes: a graceful and airy Pinot Noir with notes of blackcurrant, fresh cherry and raspberry, lifted by smoky touches. A medium-bodied palate that is deeply "pinotante", demonstrating all of Jérôme Galeyrand's expertise with the Fixin appellation.

Fixin Champs de Vosger: another expression of the Fixin terroir, combining power and elegance. A fleshy, deep Pinot Noir with a fine tannic grain and a persistent finish — a wine built for ageing, made to stand the test of time.

Côte de Nuits-Villages En Vignois: a single-parcel cuvée from the Côte de Nuits-Villages, the expression of a precise climat. A fresh and flavoursome Pinot Noir, taut on red fruit, with the silky texture characteristic of the domaine's wines.

Côte de Nuits-Villages Vieilles Vignes: produced from old-vine parcels, this cuvée offers a dense texture, deep fruit and a consistent, chewy palate. A Pinot Noir of remarkable value, with surprising length.

Côte de Nuits-Villages Les Retraits Vieilles Vignes: the domaine's flagship and historic cuvée, produced from vines planted in 1925 and 1932 in Comblanchien. Richness, complexity, elegance and depth unite in this Pinot Noir of the highest class — the fruit of the first parcel acquired by Jérôme.

Gevrey-Chambertin La Justice: sourced from vines planted in 1960, this emblematic Gevrey offers seductive depth and generous fruit. A gentle maceration and careful ageing in barrels for over a year allow the wine to gain in complexity with time.

Gevrey-Chambertin En Billard: sourced from vines planted in 1987, this is Jérôme Galeyrand's favourite climat in the appellation. Character, depth, generosity and airy finesse combine in a perfumed Pinot Noir built for ageing, sometimes compared to a Charmes-Chambertin for its refinement.

Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes En Croisette: a single-parcel old-vine cuvée from the lieu-dit En Croisette, delivering a deep, dense Gevrey-Chambertin marked by the sap of the old vines. Fine tannins, ripe fruit and great ageing potential characterise this sought-after wine.