A Winery Rooted in Burgundy Since 1879

Since 1879

History of the Domain

Established in Burgundy since 1879, the Domain’s history begins with Honoré GAVIGNET born in a village near Auxonne: Les Maillys. He learned in his youth the work of Plowman-Carrier in a region dedicated to growing vegetables. He married, on the 21st February 1903, Marie DROUHIN, from Boncourt-Le-Bois, located a few kilometers from Nuits-Saint-Georges.

The latter, formerly a winemaker at the Domain of the Romanée-Conti, convinces her husband to join her previous employer after a brief attempt to settle in the Maillys. They settle at the Domain, in Vosne-Romanée.

It was only at the beginning of the 19th century that Honoré GAVIGNET, becomes winemaker for the Domain de la Romanée-Conti the 17th November 1904 until 15th August 1913, founded his own estate in the heart of the “Grand Bourgogne Viticole”, in Nuits Saint Georges.

In order to enhance the techniques and knowledge received from the Domain of the Romanée-Conti, he receives from Mr Louis, Léon CLIN, manager of the vineyards of Mr GAUDIN de VILLAINE and CHAMBON, sole owners in Vosne-Romanée of the ROMANEE-CONTI, a certificate (In our archives) indicating that Honoré, employed as a winemaker, has performed his duty in perfect conditions.

This certificate was recognized and immediately ratified by Mr GRIVOT-JACOB, deputy to the Mayor of Vosne-Romanée and authenticated by the stamp of the municipality.

Shortly after, Honoré moved on the 13 November 1922, to Rue Saint Symphorien, now Rue Félix TISSERAND, the Estate’s headquarters until 2025.

Honoré and Marie have three children:

• Henri, employed by the Burgundy Estate Count Lupé and Viscount Cholet in Nuits-Saint-Georges.
• Gabriel, manager of the Domain des Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges.
• Maurice was born on December 27, 1919, the youngest.

His father orders him to assist him in the management of the Domain. The family situation is difficult: Marie DROUHIN-GAVIGNET died on the 8 February 1937, while Maurice was only 17 and Honoré could no longer count on the help of all of his children since the call to the front line of his two eldest sons due to the Second World War, which began the 1st of September 1939.

Terrian, Honoré transmits to his son Maurice GAVIGNET his passion and the precious knowledge that he had received himself. Father and son develop the activity within the family property. Maurice GAVIGNET works hard to expand the Domain’s vineyards. The plots of Nuits Saint Georges, Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru «Les Chaignots» and Morey Saint Denis 1er Cru «Les Millandes» were the first to be acquired.

The sustainable demand led Maurice GAVIGNET to continue his acquisitions. The plots of Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits, vineyard name «Les Dames Huguette» complete the appellations of the Domain.

Jean-Claude GAVIGNET, who was the commercial director of Domain FAIVELEY, joined his father in 1978 until 2004. The Domain continues to expand with a vineyard in Gevrey-Chambertin and simultaneously the commercialization, the bottle distribution is generalized.

After studying in Beaune and after two years at the Domain Albert BICHOT, Arnaud joined his father in 2003 and succeeded him in 2004. With his experience as an instructor in viticulture and oenology at a wine school in Champagne, he developed the range of Crémants and requested the approval from the center of pressing for the Domain by the Union des Producteurs de Crémant de Bourgogne.The vineyard continues to extend, heading further south to the Côte de Beaune to Monthelie, Santenay, Volnay, Beaune, Savigny-les-Beaune and Pommard. This is how the Domaine becomes one of the pearls of the vineyard Côte d’Orien, but also in Champagne, in the Marne Valley, thanks to the awakening of the  Champagne House COSTE-FOLCHER.

The Domaine acquires a technical site of 3000m2 in Nuits-Saint-Georges and export grows to Asia, Europe and the Scandinavian countries, Russia, the United States, Canada and Latin America. Finally, the head office is transferred in 2026, Rue THUROT, in the heart of Nuits-Saint-Georges, not far from the place des Climats-de-Bourgogne. This new site, a jewel of the eighteenth century, a place nestled against the old fortified ramparts of the city and full of history, where we offer visits of our cellars,wine tasting experiences, we invite you to come and discovery the sweetness of life in Burgundy.

Since 1879, the love of work well done has allowed four generations to succeed each other from father to son until Arnaud GAVIGNET, great grandson of the founder.

Philosophy of the Domain

Our vineyard, led in sustainable cultivation with controlled natural grass is entirely harvested by hand. The vinification is based on a simple idea: encouraging maceration and extraction to optimize concentration and provide our wines with a rich and elegant structure. A mastered fermentation profile with controlled vinification temperatures contribute to the expression of wines. The powerful aromas are preserved to ensure a gourmet palate full of fruit when tasting.

Then, after filling the barrels, the wines age under the vast vaults of our cellars. They develop their full power and aromas of red fruits and black berries. Our wines age in Merrain French oak barrels for 18 months and our cuvées contain 25% to 100% new casks according to the appellation, which gives our production a unique style.

During the clarification and bottling operations, our Cellar master takes special care to guarantee all the expression and typicity of the different terroirs. The precious bottles obtained are then ready to leave their Domanial Cradle, to join the most beautiful tables for your guests to enjoy the spirit and friendliness of Burgundy.

A magnificent Domaine, solid know-how and meticulous care for each of our wines: this is what clearly distinguishes the Domaine GAVIGNET Père et Fils. Choose excellence and enter the history of the Grands Domaines de Bourgogne.