Guyon, Domaine
Summary
Domaine Guyon is a family-owned Burgundian estate in Vosne-Romanée with 15 hectares of vineyards across the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, producing primarily Pinot Noir wines from limestone and clay soils with significant old-vine parcels. The brothers Jean-Pierre and Michel maintain traditional methods including low yields, hand harvesting, and partial whole-cluster fermentation, creating wines that faithfully express their terroir through minimal intervention and site-specific oak aging.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Guyon was established in the 1960s by Antonin Guyon, who began acquiring parcels in the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. The domaine is now directed by brothers Jean-Pierre and Michel Guyon, who represent the second generation of the family business. Jean-Pierre manages the vineyards while Michel oversees the winemaking operations, creating a balanced partnership that has guided the domaine since the 1990s. Based in Vosne-Romanée, the heart of Burgundy's prestigious Côte de Nuits, the Guyon family has methodically expanded their holdings over decades, focusing on quality parcels across multiple appellations. The transition from father to sons marked a period of refinement in both vineyard management and cellar practices, though the fundamental approach established by Antonin remains the foundation of their work.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Guyon manages approximately 15 hectares of vineyards spread across both the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. Their holdings include parcels in several premier cru and grand cru sites, with significant plots in Vosne-Romanée, Gevrey-Chambertin, and Savigny-lès-Beaune. The vineyards feature the classic limestone and clay soils typical of Burgundy, with variations in composition across different sites that contribute to the distinctive character of each wine. The domaine produces both red wines from Pinot Noir and white wines from Chardonnay, with their red wines from the Côte de Nuits forming the core of their production. Many of their vineyards contain older vines, particularly in their premier cru parcels, which contribute to the concentration and complexity of the resulting wines. The portfolio spans multiple appellations, offering expressions from village-level wines to their more structured premier and grand cru bottlings.
Philosophy & Practice
The Guyon brothers employ traditional Burgundian winemaking techniques refined with modern precision. Their approach in the vineyard emphasizes low yields and careful canopy management to ensure optimal ripeness. Harvest is conducted by hand, with rigorous sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery. For red wines, they typically use partial whole-cluster fermentation depending on the vintage and vineyard, with fermentation occurring in temperature-controlled tanks. Aging takes place in French oak barrels, with the percentage of new oak calibrated to each wine's structure and appellation level. The domaine practices minimal intervention in the cellar, preferring to let the characteristics of each vineyard site express themselves naturally. Their winemaking philosophy balances respect for tradition with practical adaptations to each vintage's specific conditions, resulting in wines that reflect both their terroir and the Guyon family's methodical approach to viticulture and vinification.