Alain Gras

History of Domaine Alain Gras

Founded in 1979 by Alain Gras, Domaine Alain Gras has established itself as an emblematic figure of Saint-Romain, a picturesque village nestled at 300-450 meters altitude in the Côte de Beaune. From a lineage of Burgundian winegrowers spanning four generations, Alain Gras took over the 6 family hectares to make it today a 15-hectare domaine, passionately cultivating Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. His commitment to promoting the Saint-Romain appellation, often overshadowed by its prestigious neighbors such as Meursault and Pommard, has made him an undisputed ambassador of this unique terroir.

Since 2020, Arthur Gras, his son, has brought new energy to the domaine, continuing the quest for excellence while exploring a parcel-based approach to sublimate each climat. This transition marks a new stage in the history of the domaine, combining tradition and innovation. The renown of Alain Gras's wines, present on the wine lists of 21 three-star Michelin restaurants, testifies to the quality and consistency of their work. Each bottle tells a story of dedication, respect for terroir, and love for Burgundy.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Alain Gras

Domaine Alain Gras benefits from an exceptional location at the top of the Saint-Romain hills, where the vines flourish on clay-limestone soils, often very thin, which force the roots to plunge deep into the bedrock. This natural constraint gives the wines vibrant minerality, distinctive freshness, and rare elegance. The vineyards, mainly located in Saint-Romain, also extend over the appellations of Auxey-Duresses and Meursault, covering a total of 15 hectares.

In Saint-Romain, parcels such as Sous le Château and Sous la Velle, facing East and South-East, benefit from optimal sunlight while avoiding excessive heat, a valuable asset in the face of increasingly frequent warm vintages. These terroirs, perched at high altitude, produce expressive Chardonnays and delicious Pinot Noirs. The domaine practices reasoned viticulture, limiting phytosanitary treatments, encouraging natural grass cover, and working the soils to preserve their vitality. Manual harvesting and green harvesting allow for yield control and quality.

Vinifications at Domaine Alain Gras

Vinification at Domaine Alain Gras combines tradition and modernity to reveal the quintessence of terroir. The grapes, hand-harvested and carefully sorted, undergo pneumatic pressing with precise temperature control. For white wines, such as Saint-Romain Cinq Climats or Meursault Les Tillets, aging combines oak barrels (with 20 to 50% new wood depending on the cuvées) and stainless steel tanks, thus preserving the freshness and purity of aromas. The reds, such as Saint-Romain Vieilles Vignes and Auxey-Duresses Très Vieilles Vignes, benefit from vinification with a portion of whole cluster for Pinot Noir, followed by aging in oak barrels.

This meticulous process, guided by a philosophy of minimalism, allows the wines to faithfully reflect their terroir. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations are carefully monitored, and aging, lasting 11 to 12 months, refines textures and flavors without masking the character.

The cuvées of Domaine Alain Gras

Domaine Alain Gras offers a complete range of cuvées, each highlighting the richness of Burgundian terroir. Here is a detailed presentation of the wines available, perfect for accompanying your tasting moments.

Aligoté

This white wine, from 15-year-old vines on 0.77 hectares of clay-limestone soils, offers beautiful freshness with notes of white fruits and a mineral touch. Vinified in tanks with pneumatic pressing, it seduces with its vivacity and balance. Ideal for an aperitif or light dishes, it is ready to drink now and can be kept for 3 to 5 years.

Saint-Romain Les Cinq Climats

A blend of five emblematic climats (Sous la Velle, Poillange, Croix Neuve, Le Jarron, Village Haut), this Chardonnay from 40-year-old vines on 3.66 hectares reveals a fresh bouquet of flowers and citrus. Its frank and fruity palate, supported by beautiful minerality, makes it a delicious and elegant wine. Aged in barrels (20% new) and in tanks for 12 months, it is ready to drink or to keep for 5 to 7 years.

Saint-Romain Sous le Château

This Chardonnay, produced on 2.96 hectares of old vines (40 years) from the Sous le Château climat, offers a golden robe and aromas of citrus and toasted bread. Juicy, mineral, and endowed with beautiful acidity, it combines energy and woody elegance. Aged 12 months in barrels (20% new) and in tanks, this wine can be enjoyed now or kept for 5 to 6 years.

Auxey-Duresses Les Crais

From 50-year-old vines on 0.42 hectares, this Chardonnay reveals complex aromas of candied citrus, white fruits, and an iodine touch. Aged in barrels (30% new) for 12 months, it offers a perfect balance between richness and freshness, with refined elegance. To be enjoyed young or after 5 to 7 years of aging.

Meursault Les Criots

This Meursault, produced on 0.25 hectares of 30-year-old vines, presents a brilliant robe and fine aromas of minerality and white flowers. Its powerful and straight palate offers remarkable balance. Aged in barrels (50% new) for 12 months, it gains complexity after 2 years and remains optimal for 10 years.

Meursault Les Tillets

Similar to Les Criots, this Chardonnay from 0.4 hectares and 40-year-old vines offers a brilliant robe and delicate aromas of minerality and white flowers. Aged in barrels (50% new) for 12 months, it improves after 2 years and retains its brilliance for a decade.

Saint-Romain Vieilles Vignes

This Pinot Noir, from 40-year-old vines on 4 hectares, displays a bright red robe with violet reflections. Its expressive nose of red fruits (cherry) and its palate with melting tannins offer elegant freshness. Vinified with 20% whole cluster and aged 12 months in barrels (15% new), it is ready to drink or to keep for 5 to 7 years.

Auxey-Duresses Très Vieilles Vignes

This Pinot Noir, produced on 1.3 hectares of century-old vines, reveals a ruby robe and complex aromas of cherry, blackberry, and spices. Its harmonious palate, with ripe tannins, is full of vigor. Vinified with destemmed grapes and aged 11 months in barrels (30% new), it is ideal young or after 5 to 7 years.

Domaine Alain Gras is an essential address for lovers of authentic and refined Burgundy wines. Thanks to know-how passed down from generation to generation and perfect mastery of the Saint-Romain terroir, the domaine's cuvées combine freshness, elegance, and minerality, offering immediate pleasure and remarkable aging potential. Whether you're looking for a vibrant Chardonnay or a delicious Pinot Noir, purchasing wines from Domaine Alain Gras is a promise of quality at affordable prices. Explore this exceptional selection now and let yourself be seduced by the soul of the Côte de Beaune, magnified by the talent of Alain and Arthur Gras.