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 had met in 1944 during the village’s liberation. Born of a meeting between two worlds, the family venture grew from a few inherited vines and a determination to build an enduring estate. In the postwar years, when much land had yet to be replanted after the phylloxera crisis, François Gerbet began acquiring superb plots in Aux Réas in 1950, ideally situated between Vosne-Romanée and Nuits-Saint-Georges. From 1965, he expanded his vineyards by purchasing around ten hectares in the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, at Concœur, a hamlet of Nuits-Saint-Georges.

In 1972, two of his three daughters, Marie-Andrée and Chantal Gerbet, joined the estate before taking sole charge in 1983. Under their leadership, the estate adopted a considered approach to viticulture, developed bottled-wine sales and acquired prestigious plots, notably in Clos de Vougeot and Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Les Suchots. Recognized for the quality of their wines as early as 1978, the Gerbet sisters appeared in leading guides (Hachette, Revue du Vin de France) and won numerous accolades. Since 2013, Amélie Berthaut, Marie-Andrée’s daughter, who studied enology in Bordeaux, has gradually taken over the family vineyards, incorporating them into Domaine Berthaut-Gerbet, based in Fixin, and ensuring the continuation of this Burgundy family venture.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine François Gerbet

The vineyards of Domaine François Gerbet cover approximately twelve hectares, thoughtfully spread between the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits and the prestigious heart of the Côte de Nuits. In the Hautes-Côtes, the estate farms an extensive collection of plots planted with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on high-altitude clay-limestone soils, which bring freshness and aromatic tension. This regional foundation, the fruit of François Gerbet’s patient work beginning in 1965, enables the estate to offer approachable, expressive wines that faithfully represent this high-altitude terroir.

Across the most coveted villages of the Côte de Nuits, the estate has an exceptional collection of vineyard plots. The vines in the Aux Réas lieu-dit, near the border with Nuits-Saint-Georges, benefit from an outstanding exposure. Three Premiers Crus complete the mosaic: Vosne-Romanée Les Petits Monts and Les Suchots, and Chambolle-Musigny Les Plantes, a Premier Cru of great elegance. At its pinnacle are two emblematic Grands Crus, Echézeaux and Clos de Vougeot, which establish the estate among the Côte de Nuits’ finest producers. The limestone and clay-limestone soils of these plots, together with a considered approach to vineyard management, give the wines depth, finesse and longevity.

Winemaking at Domaine François Gerbet

At Domaine François Gerbet, winemaking follows the finest Burgundy tradition, with a consistent focus on finesse rather than power. The harvest is carefully sorted, and the grapes are partially destemmed according to the vintage and the quality of the crop. Fermentation takes place in vats, with gentle extraction designed to preserve the aromatic delicacy of Pinot Noir. Guided by the Gerbet sisters, this measured approach produces wines with a silky texture and vibrant fruit.

The wines are aged in barrels for several months, with judicious use of new oak to respect the expression of each terroir and never mask the fruit. The oak is carefully selected to support the wine’s structure without overpowering it. This attentive winemaking, both traditional and precise, allows every estate wine, from Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits to the Grands Crus, to reveal its character while retaining the elegance that is the house’s hallmark. The wines stand out for their balance, freshness and ability to develop harmoniously in the bottle.

The Wines of Domaine François Gerbet

Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Rouge is an appealing, fruit-forward and approachable wine, the estate’s signature expression of this high-altitude terroir. Its ruby color, fresh red-fruit aromas and generous palate make it an inviting Pinot Noir, best enjoyed between two and six years of age.

Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Blanc, made from Chardonnay grown on the slopes of Concœur, stands out for its freshness and notes of white flowers and soft-fleshed fruit, underpinned by lively acidity. A precise, elegant wine, perfect as an aperitif or with seafood dishes.

Bourgogne Pinot Noir, from regional vineyard plots, offers a supple, fruity Pinot Noir with a fine structure. An introduction to the estate’s wines, it charms with its clear fruit expression and silky balance.

Bourgogne Chardonnay reveals a focused, fresh white marked by citrus and white-flower aromas and a mineral finish. An appealing wine that expresses the purity of Burgundy Chardonnay in an approachable style.

Bourgogne Aligoté brings a fresh note to the range: a lively, crisp, refreshing white with citrus and floral aromas. Ideal as an aperitif or in a kir, it showcases the estate’s skill with this emblematic Burgundy grape.

Vosne-Romanée Aux Réas, the estate’s emblematic village wine, comes from an exceptionally well-situated plot between Vosne-Romanée and Nuits-Saint-Georges. It reveals an expressive nose of red currant, raspberry and black currant, backed by a velvety palate and supple tannins. A distinctive Vosne-Romanée, full of charm and with excellent aging potential.

Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Les Petits Monts, situated above the village near Richebourg, offers a Pinot Noir of great elegance. Its floral and spicy aromas, finely etched palate and lingering finish make it highly sought after by wine lovers.

Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Les Suchots, from one of the appellation’s finest Premiers Crus, offers a deep, complex wine. Its red- and black-fruit aromas are enriched by notes of humus and woodland, while the dense, silky palate leads to a remarkably long finish. A fine wine for aging, particularly accomplished in the best vintages.

Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru Les Plantes, the estate’s only Premier Cru in the neighboring village, charms with its finesse and delicacy. Floral, elegant and beautifully pure in fruit, it brilliantly embodies the refined character of Chambolle-Musigny.

Echézeaux Grand Cru is one of the estate’s two flagship wines. It offers a deep, aromatic Pinot Noir, combining ripe red fruit, sweet spices and woodland notes. Its full, silky palate, supported by fine tannins, gives it excellent aging potential.

Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, the jewel of Domaine François Gerbet, expresses all the nobility of this legendary terroir. Its deep color, complex aromas of black fruit, licorice and spices, and dense, structured palate point to a wine with exceptional aging potential, capable of gaining complexity and harmony over years in the cellar.