Christophe Roumier
Summary
Domaine Georges Roumier, a third-generation family estate in Burgundy led by Christophe Roumier since 1981, produces approximately 3,000-4,000 cases annually from 11.5 hectares of primarily Pinot Noir vineyards across prestigious sites including Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru and Chambolle-Musigny Premier Crus. Christophe's winemaking balances traditional Burgundian methods with technical refinement, employing sustainable viticulture, native yeast fermentations, and careful oak regimens to create wines of remarkable precision and terroir transparency that have become among the most collectible in the world.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Georges Roumier was established in 1924 when Georges Roumier married Geneviève Quanquin, whose family owned vineyards in Chambolle-Musigny. The marriage brought vineyard holdings to Georges, who subsequently founded the domaine that bears his name. Following Georges' tenure, his son Jean-Marie Roumier took over management of the family estate in 1961 and guided operations until 1981.
The current generation is represented by Christophe Roumier, who assumed control of the domaine in 1981 after completing his enological studies. Christophe, Georges' grandson, has now directed the estate for over four decades. The domaine remains family-owned, with Christophe's sister Delphine and her husband also involved in aspects of the business. Under Christophe's leadership, the domaine has maintained its traditional approach while implementing technical improvements in both vineyard management and cellar practices.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Georges Roumier manages approximately 11.5 hectares of vineyards spread across several communes in the Côte de Nuits. The estate's holdings include parcels in Chambolle-Musigny, Morey-Saint-Denis, and Corton-Charlemagne in the Côte de Beaune. The crown jewels of the domaine are its Grand Cru parcels: 1.4 hectares in Bonnes-Mares (straddling both white and red soils) and 0.1 hectares in Ruchottes-Chambertin.
Premier Cru holdings include 0.4 hectares in Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses, 0.5 hectares in Chambolle-Musigny Les Cras, and parcels in Les Combottes. The domaine also produces village-level wines from Chambolle-Musigny and Morey-Saint-Denis, as well as a Bourgogne Rouge. The vineyards feature limestone-clay soils typical of the Côte de Nuits, with variations in limestone content and subsoil structure across the different sites. The vines average between 25 and 45 years old, with some parcels containing vines exceeding 60 years.
Pinot Noir dominates the plantings, though the domaine does produce a small amount of white wine from its Corton-Charlemagne parcel. Annual production varies with vintage conditions but typically ranges between 3,000 and 4,000 cases total across all appellations.
Philosophy & Practice
Christophe Roumier employs a measured approach to vineyard management, focusing on maintaining soil health and vine balance. The domaine practices sustainable viticulture with meticulous attention to each vineyard site's specific needs. Plowing is preferred to herbicides for weed control, and treatments are applied judiciously according to conditions rather than by rigid schedule.
In the cellar, Christophe follows traditional Burgundian winemaking methods with careful adaptation to each vintage. Grapes are predominantly destemmed, though a portion of whole clusters may be retained depending on the vintage and vineyard. Fermentation occurs in open-top wooden vats with native yeasts after a cold soak of 4-5 days. Gentle extraction techniques are employed, with manual punch-downs (pigeage) and occasional pump-overs (remontage) determined by tasting during fermentation.
Aging takes place in French oak barrels, with new oak percentages varying by appellation: approximately 25-30% for village wines, 30-40% for Premier Crus, and 50-60% for Grand Crus. The wines typically spend 18 months in barrel before bottling without fining and with only light filtration when necessary. Christophe's technical background informs his decisions, but his approach remains guided by tradition and a commitment to expressing each vineyard's distinctive character.