Domaine Dugat is a family estate that we find in Gevrey-Chambertin, at the heart of Burgundy’s prestigious Côte de Nuits. Family heritage and respect for traditions go hand in hand with a guiding principle of authenticity.
Excellence in Gevrey-Chambertin
The Dugat vineyard cover six hectares in Gevrey-Chambertin. The decision to keep the estate on the smaller side is born of a real reluctance to work anywhere other than the commune to which the owners are so attached. The winery they run was purchased back in 1956 by Claude Dugat’s father, Maurice, although the history of the property dates from the thirteenth century. A place that carries the imprint of its past. This idea is kept in mind throughout the crafting of the wine, with Burgundy lovers staying loyal to Dugat for the quality of their produce.
A long family tradition
Raised in a family of vintners, Claude Dugat grew up in the viticultural world. He began his career by following in his father’s footsteps and establishing himself as a wine merchant. In the 90s, he started bottling and selling his own cuvées, a move that brought enough success for him to put his name firmly on the map of Côte de Nuits. Around a decade later, his children joined the domain, thus taking on the family’s viticultural heritage for another generation. For five years now, Claude’s son Bertrand has been taking over the reins, alongside his sisters Laeticia and Jeanne. Claude continues to support them, passing on his skills and nurturing the passion they all share. In terms of future projects, there is a certain modesty in the owners’ discretion, but whatever they go on to do, the family counts on remaining close to their history and heritage.
What is the wine like?
The domain’s Pinot Noir vines are planted in a chalk-rich terroir, conferring both minerality and finesse to the resulting wines. With this kind of profile, it’s no wonder the reputation of these cuvées leans on a fantastic freshness. The harvest is carried out by hand quite early in the season so that the fruit doesn’t ripen too much or become too sugar-heavy. Warm summers present quite a challenge for the domain. Following the principles of sustainable agriculture, each of the parcels its treated with the utmost care. For years, Claude persisted in working his vineyard with the help of his horse, Jonquille, before deciding that more conventional methods would be more effective. The vinification methods used here are stripped back, with no fining or filtering, so that each cuvée and each vintage comes out as authentically as possible.
Limited and exclusive
There’s not a hint of mass production at this domain. Despite international success and great renown for his wines, Claude Dugat has always kept his production small, thus reserving it for those who are really looking. Some of the grands crus crafted here, such as the Griotte-Chambertin (here made from mature vines) are sought across the globe, so you’ll be fortunate to get your hands on one of these precious bottles. Since 2018 the domain has produced the La Marie cuvée, a particularly velvety and generous wine. Finally, made from old vines planted in 1910 on the domain’s smallest parcel, the La Chapelle cuvée is extremely limited…and extremely coveted. All this is to say that you should get one of these cuvées for your cellar as soon as you have the chance! You’ll be one of the lucky few…