Forey, Domaine
Summary
Domaine Forey is a family-owned estate in Vosne-Romanée managing 10 hectares across the Côte de Nuits, focusing primarily on Pinot Noir from limestone and clay soils with holdings ranging from village-level to Grand Cru Echézeaux. Second-generation winemaker Régis Forey personally oversees all production aspects, employing partial whole-cluster fermentation, native yeasts, and minimal intervention through to bottling without fining or filtration when possible.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Forey traces its roots to the 1960s when Jean Forey established the family estate in Vosne-Romanée, one of Burgundy's most distinguished villages. The domaine remained under Jean's guidance until 1986, when his son Régis Forey assumed control of the family business. This transition marked a significant moment in the domaine's development, as Régis brought his own perspective while maintaining respect for the foundations his father had established.
Régis Forey represents the current generation leading the domaine, having accumulated over three decades of winemaking experience in Vosne-Romanée. Under his direction, the domaine has maintained its traditional approach while implementing subtle refinements to vineyard management and cellar practices. The family's deep connection to their land in the Côte de Nuits continues to inform their winemaking decisions, with Régis personally overseeing all aspects of production from vineyard to bottle.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Forey encompasses approximately 10 hectares of vineyards spread across several appellations in the Côte de Nuits. The holdings include parcels in Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-Saint-Georges, and Flagey-Echézeaux, with the crown jewel being a small plot in the Grand Cru Echézeaux. The domaine also cultivates several Premier Cru sites, including Les Gaudichots in Vosne-Romanée and Les Perrières in Nuits-Saint-Georges.
The vineyards sit on the classic limestone and clay soils of the Côte de Nuits, with variations in composition contributing to the distinct character of each wine. Pinot Noir dominates the plantings, though the domaine also produces a small amount of Chardonnay and Aligoté. The vines vary in age, with some older parcels dating back several decades, providing depth and concentration to the resulting wines.
The domaine produces a range of wines that reflect their specific terroirs, from village-level bottlings to the more structured Premier and Grand Cru offerings. Each wine expresses the particular characteristics of its site, with the Vosne-Romanée wines typically showing aromatic complexity and silky textures, while the Nuits-Saint-Georges bottlings often display more robust structural elements.
Philosophy & Practice
Domaine Forey adheres to traditional Burgundian winemaking methods while incorporating thoughtful adaptations based on vintage conditions and specific vineyard requirements. In the cellar, Régis employs partial whole-cluster fermentation, with proportions varying according to the vintage and the specific wine. This technique contributes structural elements and aromatic complexity to the finished wines.
Fermentations proceed with native yeasts in temperature-controlled vats, allowing for gentle extraction of color, flavor, and tannin. Following fermentation, the wines are transferred to French oak barrels for aging, with the percentage of new oak carefully calibrated to each wine's classification and character. Village wines typically see around 20-30% new oak, while Premier and Grand Cru bottlings may receive up to 50% new oak.
The aging period generally spans 15-18 months, during which time the wines develop integration and complexity before bottling without fining or filtration when possible. This minimal-intervention approach in the final stages preserves the wines' authentic expression of terroir. Throughout the production process, decisions are made with the goal of creating wines that honestly reflect their origins while maintaining balance and aging potential.