Andre Gagey (Louis Jadot), Domaine
Summary
Maison Louis Jadot operates as a significant négociant-éleveur across 210 hectares of Burgundy's limestone-clay soils, producing primarily Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines spanning regional to Grand Cru classifications. Their traditional approach combines open-top wooden vat fermentation for reds and barrel fermentation for whites with calibrated oak aging regimens, maintaining terroir expression while thoughtfully adapting to changing conditions under the stewardship of the Gagey family.
Heritage & Leadership
Maison Louis Jadot was established in 1859 when Louis Henry Denis Jadot purchased the Clos des Ursules vineyard in Beaune and founded his négociant business. The Jadot family maintained ownership until 1985, when the house was acquired by the American Kopf family, owners of Kobrand Corporation, Louis Jadot's U.S. importer since 1945. This transition marked a significant moment in the house's history, as it was one of the first major Burgundy houses to come under foreign ownership.
André Gagey played a pivotal role in Louis Jadot's development, joining the company in 1962 as technical director before becoming president following Louis Auguste Jadot's death in 1968. Gagey guided the house through a period of expansion and helped maintain its quality standards during his tenure. His son, Pierre-Henry Gagey, joined the company in 1984 and succeeded his father as president in 1992, continuing the family's involvement in leadership. The winemaking direction transitioned in 2012 when Frédéric Barnier took over from Jacques Lardière, who had served as technical director for 42 years.
Vineyards & Wines
Louis Jadot manages approximately 210 hectares of vineyards across Burgundy, including holdings in the Côte d'Or, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais. The company owns 120 hectares directly, with the remainder under long-term contracts with growers. Their vineyard portfolio spans the hierarchy of Burgundy classifications, from regional appellations to Grand Cru sites.
In the Côte de Nuits, Jadot maintains parcels in prestigious Grand Crus including Chambertin, Echézeaux, and Clos Vougeot. Their Côte de Beaune holdings feature plots in Corton-Charlemagne, Bâtard-Montrachet, and their historic Clos des Ursules, a Beaune Premier Cru monopole acquired by the founder in 1859. The vineyards are predominantly planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with smaller amounts of Aligoté and Gamay in appropriate areas.
The soils vary by location, with the limestone-clay mixtures typical of Burgundy dominating most sites. Vineyard management focuses on achieving optimal ripeness while maintaining the distinctive character of each terroir, with many sites featuring vines averaging 30+ years in age.
Philosophy & Practice
Louis Jadot adheres to traditional Burgundian winemaking methods while incorporating modern techniques where beneficial. Red wine production involves careful sorting, varying percentages of stem inclusion depending on the vintage and vineyard, and fermentation in open-top wooden vats. White wines are typically whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented.
The aging program is tailored to each wine's classification and character, with Grand Crus and Premier Crus spending 18-20 months in oak barrels, while regional wines see 8-12 months of barrel aging. New oak usage varies from 20-30% for village wines to 50-70% for Grand Crus.
In the vineyards, Jadot implements sustainable practices across their holdings, with particular attention to soil health through reduced chemical inputs and cover cropping. The company maintains a cooperage at their Beaune headquarters, allowing for precise control over barrel selection and toasting levels.
Jadot's approach balances respect for Burgundian tradition with pragmatic adaptations to changing conditions, focusing on expressing the distinct character of each vineyard site while maintaining consistency across their extensive range of wines.