François Gerbet

History of Domaine François Gerbet

The history of Domaine François Gerbet began in 1947, when François Gerbet, originally from the Pyrenees, settled as a winegrower in Vosne-Romanée with his wife Suzanne Sirugue, whom he met in 1944 during the liberation of the village. Born from an encounter between two worlds, the family adventure was built around a few inherited vines and a determination to establish a lasting domaine. Taking advantage of the post-war period, during which much land had not been replanted following the phylloxera crisis, François Gerbet acquired, from 1950 onwards, superb plots at Aux Réas, ideally situated between Vosne-Romanée and Nuits-Saint-Georges. From 1965, he expanded his vineyard by purchasing approximately ten hectares in the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, at Concœur, a hamlet of Nuits-Saint-Georges.

From 1972, two of his three daughters, Marie-Andrée and Chantal Gerbet, joined the estate, before taking sole charge in 1983. Under their leadership, the domaine adopted sustainable viticulture, developed bottled wine sales and enriched its holdings with prestigious plots, notably in Clos de Vougeot and Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Les Suchots. Recognised from 1978 onwards for the quality of their wines, the Gerbet sisters feature in the leading guides (Hachette, Revue du Vin de France) and have accumulated numerous distinctions. Since 2013, Amélie Berthaut, daughter of Marie-Andrée and trained in oenology in Bordeaux, has been progressively taking over the family vines by integrating them into Domaine Berthaut-Gerbet, based in Fixin, thereby ensuring the continuity of this wonderful Burgundian adventure.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine François Gerbet

The vineyard of Domaine François Gerbet spans approximately twelve hectares, carefully distributed between the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits and the prestigious heart of the Côte de Nuits. On the Hautes-Côtes, the domaine de cultivates a large range of plots planted with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on high-altitude argilo-calcareous soils, offering freshness and aromatic tension. This regional foundation, the fruit of François Gerbet's patient work from 1965 onwards, allows the domaine de to offer accessible and expressive cuvées, perfectly representative of this high-altitude terroir.

Across the most sought-after villages of the Côte de Nuits, the domaine holds plots of outstanding quality. The vines of the lieu-dit Aux Réas, on the border of Nuits-Saint-Georges, benefit from exceptional exposure. Three Premiers Crus complete this mosaic: Vosne-Romanée Les Petits Monts and Les Suchots, as well as Chambolle-Musigny Les Plantes, a Premier Cru of great elegance. The pinnacle of the pyramid is represented by two emblematic Grands Crus, the Échézeaux and the Clos de Vougeot, which lend the domaine a legitimacy among the finest signatures of the Côte de Nuits. The calcareous and argilo-calcareous soils of these plots, combined with a respectful approach to viticulture using sustainable methods, give the cuvées depth, finesse and longevity.

Winemaking at Domaine François Gerbet

At Domaine François Gerbet, winemaking follows the purest Burgundian tradition, with a constant pursuit of finesse rather than power. The harvests are carefully sorted, the grapes partially destemmed according to the vintage and the quality of the crop. Fermentations take place in vats, with gentle extractions designed to preserve the aromatic delicacy of the Pinot Noir. This measured approach, guided by the Gerbet sisters, gives rise to wines with a silky mouthfeel and vibrant fruit.

Ageing takes place in barrels for several months, with a measured use of new oak, so as to respect the expression of the terroirs and never mask the fruit. The wood is carefully selected to support the structure of the wine without dominating it. This attentive winemaking approach, both traditional and precise, allows each cuvée of the domaine — from the Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits to the Grands Crus — to reveal its character while retaining the elegance that is the hallmark of the house. The wines are distinguished by their balance, their freshness and their ability to evolve harmoniously in the bottle.

The cuvées of Domaine François Gerbet

The Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Rouge offers a generous, fruity and accessible cuvée, the domaine's signature on this high-altitude terroir. Its ruby colour, its nose of fresh red fruits and its full palate make it a convivial Pinot Noir, best enjoyed between two and six years.

The Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Blanc, crafted from Chardonnay grown on the slopes of Concœur, stands out for its freshness, its notes of white flowers and tender-fleshed fruits, supported by a beautiful liveliness. A precise and elegant cuvée, perfect as an aperitif as well as with seafood dishes.

The Bourgogne Pinot Noir, sourced from regional plots, offers a supple and fruity Pinot Noir with a fine structure. This introductory cuvée from the domaine captivates with its aromatic frankness and its silky balance.

The Bourgogne Chardonnay reveals a straightforward and fresh white wine, marked by aromas of citrus, white flowers and a mineral finish. A delightful cuvée that expresses the purity of Burgundian Chardonnay in an accessible style.

The Bourgogne Aligoté brings a note of freshness to the range, with a lively, crunchy and thirst-quenching white wine, showing citrus and floral aromas. Ideal as an aperitif or in a kir, it demonstrates the domaine's expertise with this emblematic Burgundy grape variety.

The Vosne-Romanée Aux Réas, the domaine's emblematic village cuvée, comes from an exceptionally well-placed plot between Vosne-Romanée and Nuits-Saint-Georges. It reveals an expressive nose of redcurrant, raspberry and blackcurrant, supported by a velvety palate and melted tannins. A distinguished Vosne-Romanée, full of charm and capable of ageing beautifully.

The Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Les Petits Monts, located on the heights of the village near Richebourg, offers a Pinot Noir of great elegance. Its floral and spiced aromas, its fine and chiselled palate and its persistent finish make it a highly sought-after cuvée among connoisseurs.

The Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Les Suchots, from one of the appellation's greatest Premiers Crus, offers a deep and complex wine. Its nose of red and black fruits is enriched by notes of humus and undergrowth, while the palate, dense and silky, lingers on a remarkable length. A great wine for ageing, particularly accomplished in the finest vintages.

The Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru Les Plantes, the domaine's only Premier Cru in the neighbouring village, captivates with its finesse and delicacy. Floral, elegant and of beautiful fruit purity, it brilliantly embodies the refined character of Chambolle-Musigny.

The Échézeaux Grand Cru represents one of the two flagship wines of the domaine. It offers a deep and aromatic Pinot Noir, blending ripe red fruits, gentle spices and notes of undergrowth. Its full and silky palate, supported by fine tannins, gives it an excellent capacity for ageing.

The Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, the jewel of Domaine François Gerbet, expresses the full nobility of this mythical terroir. Its deep colour, its complex aromas of black fruits, liquorice and spices, together with its dense and structured palate, herald a wine of very long ageing potential, capable of gaining in complexity and harmony over the years spent in the cellar.