Heritiers Louis Jadot, Domaine des
Summary
Domaine des Heritiers Louis Jadot operates across 210 hectares of prime mid-slope vineyards throughout Burgundy's finest appellations, producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines from limestone and clay soils at 220-300 meters elevation with eastern exposures. Their winemaking maintains traditional Burgundian methods—including whole cluster fermentation in wooden vats for reds and barrel fermentation with lees stirring for whites—while their in-house cooperage ensures precise oak selection tailored to each vineyard's expression.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine des Heritiers Louis Jadot was established in 1826 when Louis Henry Denis Jadot purchased the Beaune Premier Cru vineyard Clos des Ursules. This acquisition marked the beginning of the family's vineyard holdings in Burgundy. The domaine remained under family ownership until 1985, when it was acquired by the American Kopf family, owners of Kobrand Corporation, following the death of Louis Auguste Jadot. This transition represented the first time the house had passed outside family control since its founding.
Under the Kopf family's ownership, Pierre-Henry Gagey assumed the role of President, continuing the leadership initiated by his father, André Gagey, who had managed the domaine since 1962. Frédéric Barnier serves as Technical Director, having succeeded Jacques Lardière in 2013 after working alongside him for several years. This leadership continuity has maintained the domaine's winemaking traditions while gradually implementing refinements to their approach.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine des Heritiers Louis Jadot manages approximately 210 hectares of vineyards throughout Burgundy, with significant holdings in the Côte d'Or. Their vineyards span multiple appellations including Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée, Beaune, Pommard, Volnay, Puligny-Montrachet, and Meursault. The original Clos des Ursules vineyard in Beaune remains one of their signature monopole holdings.
The domaine's vineyards feature the classic Burgundian terroir of limestone and clay soils, with variations in composition across different sites. In the Côte de Beaune, their parcels typically contain higher clay content, while their Côte de Nuits holdings feature more limestone and marl. Vineyard elevations range from 220 to 300 meters above sea level, with many premier and grand cru sites positioned on mid-slopes with eastern and southeastern exposures. Their plantings consist primarily of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with vine ages varying from 15 to over 50 years across their holdings.
Philosophy & Practice
Louis Jadot adheres to traditional Burgundian winemaking methods while incorporating modern precision. Their approach begins in the vineyard with careful canopy management and yield control. Harvest is conducted by hand across all vineyards, with rigorous sorting both in the field and at the winery.
For red wine production, the domaine employs varying percentages of whole cluster fermentation depending on the vineyard and vintage conditions. Fermentation occurs in open-top wooden vats with native yeasts, followed by aging in French oak barrels. Their barrel program utilizes approximately 30% new oak for village wines, 40-50% for premier crus, and up to 70% for grand crus, with aging periods ranging from 12 to 18 months.
White wines undergo whole-cluster pressing followed by barrel fermentation and aging on lees with regular bâtonnage (stirring) during the early months. The domaine maintains its own cooperage, allowing for precise barrel selection tailored to specific vineyard expressions. Under Frédéric Barnier's direction, the winemaking team focuses on preserving site-specific characteristics while ensuring structural integrity and aging potential across their portfolio.