Coudray-Bizot
Summary
Domaine Coudray-Bizot is a family-owned Burgundian estate based in Gevrey-Chambertin, producing small-batch Pinot Noir wines from their holdings across the limestone and clay soils of the Côte de Nuits, including parcels in Grand Cru Echezeaux and Charmes-Chambertin. François Coudray-Bizot maintains traditional winemaking methods including extended maceration, native yeast fermentation, and minimal intervention, with wines aging in French oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve their authentic terroir expression.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Coudray-Bizot was established in 1932 by Gérard Coudray-Bizot in the heart of Burgundy's Côte de Nuits. The domaine is based in Gevrey-Chambertin, one of Burgundy's most distinguished villages. The estate has remained in family hands since its founding, with ownership passing through generations of the Coudray-Bizot family. Today, François Coudray-Bizot leads the domaine, continuing the family tradition of Burgundian winemaking. Under his direction, the domaine maintains its focus on expressing the distinctive terroirs of their vineyard holdings through traditional winemaking methods. The family's deep connection to their land in Gevrey-Chambertin forms the foundation of their approach to viticulture and winemaking.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Coudray-Bizot's vineyard holdings span several prestigious appellations in the Côte de Nuits. Their portfolio includes parcels in Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée, and Echezeaux. The domaine produces wines from Grand Cru vineyards including Echezeaux and Charmes-Chambertin, as well as Premier Cru sites in Gevrey-Chambertin and Vosne-Romanée. The vineyards are planted predominantly with Pinot Noir, the signature red grape variety of Burgundy. The soils in their Gevrey-Chambertin parcels feature the classic limestone and clay composition typical of the region, contributing to the structure and aging potential of their wines. The domaine's production remains deliberately small, allowing for attentive vineyard management and careful vinification of each parcel.
Philosophy & Practice
Domaine Coudray-Bizot adheres to traditional Burgundian winemaking practices, emphasizing minimal intervention to preserve the authentic expression of each vineyard site. In the cellar, François employs extended maceration periods to extract color, flavor, and structure from the Pinot Noir grapes. Fermentation occurs with native yeasts, maintaining the distinctive character of their terroirs. The wines mature in French oak barrels, with new oak used judiciously to complement rather than overwhelm the fruit. The percentage of new oak varies by appellation and vintage, typically higher for Grand Cru wines. The domaine's approach focuses on patience, allowing each wine sufficient time to develop in barrel before bottling without fining or filtration. This traditional methodology reflects the family's commitment to producing wines that faithfully represent their origins in the Côte de Nuits.