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 metres above sea level in the Côte de Beaune. Coming from a lineage of Burgundian winegrowers spanning four generations, Alain Gras took over the family's 6 hectares and has since grown it into a domaine de 15 hectares, passionately cultivating Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. His commitment to championing the Saint-Romain appellation, often overshadowed by its prestigious neighbours 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 pursuit of excellence while exploring a parcel-by-parcel approach to elevate each climat. This transition marks a new chapter in the domaine's history, combining tradition and innovation. The renown of Alain Gras's wines, featured on the wine lists of 21 three-Michelin-star restaurants, bears witness to the quality and consistency of their work. Each bottle tells a story of dedication, respect for the terroir and love for Burgundy.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Alain Gras

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

In Saint-Romain, plots such as Sous le Château and Sous la Velle, oriented East and South-East, benefit from optimal light while avoiding excessive heat — a precious advantage in the face of increasingly frequent warm vintages. These terroirs, perched at high altitude, produce expressive Chardonnays and generous Pinot Noirs. The domaine practises sustainable viticulture, limiting phytosanitary treatments, encouraging natural ground cover and working the soils to preserve their vitality. Manual harvesting and green harvesting make it possible to control yields and

Vinifications at Domaine Alain Gras

Winemaking at Domaine Alain Gras combines tradition and modernity to reveal the quintessence of the terroir. The grapes, harvested by hand and carefully sorted, undergo pneumatic pressing with precise temperature control. For the white wines, such as the Saint-Romain Cinq Climats or the Meursault Les Tillets, ageing combines oak barrels (with 20 to 50% new wood depending on the cuvée) and stainless steel tanks, thus preserving the freshness and purity of the aromas. The reds, such as the Saint-Romain Vieilles Vignes and the Auxey-Duresses Très Vieilles Vignes, benefit from a vinification with a portion of whole-cluster grapes for the Pinot Noirs, followed by ageing 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 the ageing, lasting 11 to 12 months, refines the textures and flavours without masking the character

The cuvées of Domaine Alain Gras

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

Aligoté

This white wine, sourced from 15-year-old vines over 0.77 hectares of clay-limestone soils, offers a lovely freshness with notes of white fruits and a mineral touch. Vinified in tank with pneumatic pressing, it charms with its vivacity and balance. Ideal as an aperitif or with 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 sourced from 40-year-old vines over 3.66 hectares reveals a fresh bouquet of flowers and citrus. Its frank and fruity palate, supported by a fine minerality, makes it a generous and elegant wine. Aged in barrels (20% new) and in tank for 12 months, it is ready to drink or to keep for 5 to 7 years.

Saint-Romain Sous le Château

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

Auxey-Duresses Les Crais

Sourced from 50-year-old vines over 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 a distinguished elegance. To be enjoyed young or after 5 to 7 years of cellaring.

Meursault Les Criots

This Meursault, produced from 0.25 hectares of 30-year-old vines, presents a brilliant colour and delicate aromas of minerality and white flowers. Its powerful, upright palate offers a remarkable balance. Aged in barrels (50% new) for 12 months, it gains in complexity after 2 years and remains at its peak for 10 years.

Meursault Les Tillets

Similar to Les Criots, this Chardonnay from 0.4 hectares of 40-year-old vines offers a brilliant colour 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, sourced from 40-year-old vines over 4 hectares, displays a bright red colour with violet hues. Its expressive nose of red fruits (cherry) and its palate with silky tannins offer an elegant freshness. Vinified with 20% whole-cluster grapes 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 from 1.3 hectares of century-old vines, reveals a ruby colour and complex aromas of cherry, blackberry and spices. Its harmonious palate, with ripe tannins, is full of vigour. 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 a know-how passed down from generation to generation and a perfect mastery of the Saint-Romain terroir, the domaine's cuvées combine freshness, elegance and minerality, offering immediate pleasure and a remarkable ageing potential. Whether you are looking for a vibrant Chardonnay or a generous 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.