François Lumpp

History of Domaine François Lumpp

The history of Domaine François Lumpp is inseparable from that of Givry. Since 1977, the Lumpp brothers have cultivated the vine as a family on this discreet appellation of the Côte Chalonnaise, one of the most historically reputed in Burgundy (Henri IV had made it his favourite wine, no doubt because his mistress was originally from the region). Following the separation of the family estate in 1991, François Lumpp set up on his own with 4 hectares and created his own label, focusing exclusively on the finest Premier Cru climats of Givry. His wife Isabelle, a teacher at the time, gradually joined him before devoting herself entirely to the estate.

Through rigorous massal selections, François gradually developed his estate around the finest Premier Cru sites of Givry, generally located at mid-slope and upper slope. The property expanded steadily to reach 9.5 hectares, with parcels and a vine selection of the highest quality. Today, the estate is managed by the new generation: Anne-Cécile looks after the cellar, her brother Pierre and his partner Nicolas tend the vineyard, supported by the benevolent guidance of François and Isabelle. This successful family transition ensures the continuity of a refined and precise style, acclaimed by enthusiasts the world over and exported by the most prominent importers.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine François Lumpp

The vineyard of Domaine François Lumpp extends over 9.5 hectares, entirely within the Givry appellation — a remarkable distinction: François and his family are true vignerons of a specific village, as is rarely seen in Burgundy today. The estate cultivates 11 different Premier Cru climats among the most prestigious of the appellation: A Vigne Rouge (flagship cuvée), Petit Marole, Crausot (in red and white), Teppe des Chenèves (in red and white), Clos du Cras Long, Le Pied du Clou, and other single-parcel climats. In addition, there are the village cuvées Givry Blanc and Givry Rouge, crafted with the same level of care.

The soils of Givry are essentially clay-limestone, rich in minerals, with a high iron content in certain parcels that brings structure, depth and finesse to the wines. The vine varieties are dominated by Pinot Noir for the reds, complemented by Chardonnay for the whites. Vineyard management follows reasoned agriculture, with a strong environmental commitment: François Lumpp made the decision as early as 1995 to abandon all chemical weeding, favouring products permitted in organic farming. The work in the vineyard and on the soils is extremely meticulous, sometimes carried out with a horse to preserve the delicacy of the soil structures. Harvesting is entirely manual, at optimal ripeness, with a strict sorting in the vineyard followed by a second sorting at the cellar on a sorting table.

Winemaking at Domaine François Lumpp

In the cellar, the Lumpp team applies precise winemaking in the purest Burgundian tradition, aiming to preserve the natural elegance of the fruit and the individuality of each climat. For the reds, the Pinot Noir grapes benefit from careful vinification in vats, with controlled macerations and extractions of the utmost finesse to preserve the pure aromas and elegant tannins. For the whites, the Chardonnay grapes are gently pressed and settled before fermentation in barrels.

The ageing of the wines takes place in French oak barrels for approximately 12 months, with a measured proportion of new wood that varies according to the cuvées and vintages (an average of around one third, up to 70% for certain recent red cuvées according to the new generation). Under the influence of Anne-Cécile, the estate now uses 400-litre barrels for the whites in order to better preserve freshness. Bottling is scheduled according to the lunar calendar. F. Lumpp wines are in high demand, sought after by knowledgeable enthusiasts, and stand out for their great consistency: a very mineral profile for the whites, precision and elegance for the reds, in a style that can compete without hesitation with the finest Burgundies of the Côte d'Or.

The Cuvées of Domaine François Lumpp

The Givry Blanc Village is the entry-level white of the estate. A Chardonnay of great purity, marked by a very mineral and saline profile, ideal for opening a tasting before the estate's Givry Premier Crus. A taut palate, fine salinity and beautiful length, in a style very representative of the white wines of the Côte Chalonnaise.

The Givry 1er Cru Crausot Blanc is one of the estate's iconic white Premier Crus. A taut and complex Chardonnay, marked by an incisive mineral backbone, refined aromas of white flowers, citrus and toasted hazelnut, with a long and persistent finish.

The Givry 1er Cru Teppe des Chenèves Blanc is another white jewel of the estate. A Chardonnay with aromas of apple blossom and marzipan, boasting an ample yet chiselled palate with a persistent finish. An elegant wine that can be enjoyed young or reveal its full complexity with a few years of ageing — perfect with an aged Comté.

The Givry Rouge Village is the estate's iconic red village cuvée. A generous and precise Pinot Noir, marked by vibrant fruit, fine tannins and a balanced finish, in the house style imbued with freshness and elegance.

The Givry 1er Cru Petit Marole is one of the estate's great red Premier Crus. A Pinot Noir of great finesse, marked by pure fruit, refined aromas and a fine mineral backbone, in a refreshing and complex reading of the climat.

The Givry 1er Cru A Vigne Rouge is the flagship and leading cuvée of François Lumpp. A very fresh and refined Pinot Noir, to enjoy young or to wait 5 years or more in the cellar. An open-knit, fruity, silky and seductive wine that beckons — it is the estate's unmissable cuvée, a perfect illustration of its open and elegant style.

The Givry 1er Cru Clos du Cras Long is a Premier Cru of great tension. A Pinot Noir characterised by its freshness and structure, lifted by a mischievous and fine use of oak. A Givry built for ageing par excellence.

The Givry 1er Cru Le Pied du Clou is a delicious red Premier Cru — infused and suave, full of floral freshness, with fine powdery tannins that are supple and indulgent in texture, with a note of pomegranate on the finish. Rated 92/100 by the Revue du Vin de France.

The Givry 1er Cru Crausot Rouge is a Premier Cru red that is broader than Petit Marole, yet remains refreshing and pure. A wine to decant for at least one hour for a well-deserved aeration if enjoyed in its youth, but one that reveals its full nobility with a few years of ageing.

The Givry 1er Cru Teppe des Chenèves Rouge is a Premier Cru of full and refined flesh. A Pinot Noir of surprising length, to be kept longer in the cellar than the estate's main cuvée, A Vigne Rouge. It is one of the estate's absolute red jewels.

The deep and sappy Givry 1er Cru sets itself apart from the other cuvées through its density, which expresses silky tannins. A Pinot Noir built for long ageing, in a deep and refined reading of the Givry terroir.