Henri Gouges, Domaine
Summary
Domaine Henri Gouges is a four-generation family estate operating exclusively within Nuits-Saint-Georges since 1920, encompassing 14.5 hectares across seven premier cru sites where they primarily craft structured, age-worthy Pinot Noir from limestone-clay soils with vines aged 30-70 years. Their traditional approach includes hand-harvesting, concrete or stainless steel fermentation, judicious use of whole clusters, and aging in French oak (15-30% new) for 18 months, while also maintaining the unique Pinot Gouges white mutation that produces their distinctive white Nuits-Saint-Georges.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Henri Gouges was established in 1920 when Henri Gouges, a winegrower from Nuits-Saint-Georges, began bottling his own wines rather than selling to négociants. The domaine has remained in family hands through four generations, with each contributing to its development and reputation. Following Henri, his sons Michel and Marcel expanded the estate's holdings and refined its winemaking approach. The third generation, Pierre and Christian Gouges, continued this work from the 1980s through the early 2000s.
Today, the domaine is directed by the fourth generation, cousins Gregory and Antoine Gouges, who assumed control in 2007. Gregory oversees vineyard management while Antoine focuses on winemaking operations. Under their leadership, the domaine maintains its position as a reference point for the appellation of Nuits-Saint-Georges, with particular attention to expressing the distinct terroirs within their holdings.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Henri Gouges encompasses 14.5 hectares of vineyards, exclusively located within the Nuits-Saint-Georges appellation. Their holdings include significant parcels in seven premier cru vineyards: Les Saint-Georges, Les Pruliers, Les Chaignots, Les Chênes Carteaux, Clos des Porrets Saint-Georges, Les Vaucrains, and La Perrière. The domaine also produces village-level wines from several parcels.
The vineyards are planted predominantly to Pinot Noir, with a small portion (0.8 hectares) dedicated to Chardonnay for their white Nuits-Saint-Georges "La Perrière" – a rarity in this red-dominated appellation. The soils vary across their holdings, with limestone-clay mixtures predominating, though with notable variations in stone content and subsoil structure that contribute to the distinctive character of each cuvée. Many of their vineyards contain vines ranging from 30 to 50 years old, with some parcels housing vines over 70 years of age.
The domaine is particularly noted for their monopole (exclusively owned vineyard) Clos des Porrets Saint-Georges, a 3.57-hectare premier cru plot that produces wines of particular depth and longevity. Their parcel in Les Saint-Georges, widely considered the finest premier cru of the appellation, consistently yields wines of remarkable structure and aging potential.
Philosophy & Practice
Domaine Henri Gouges adheres to traditional viticultural practices while incorporating modern precision where beneficial. In the vineyards, they practice sustainable viticulture with minimal chemical intervention, focusing on soil health and biodiversity. Yields are controlled through careful pruning and, when necessary, green harvesting to ensure optimal ripeness and concentration.
Harvest is conducted by hand, with rigorous sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery. The winemaking approach emphasizes gentle handling to preserve the integrity of the fruit and the expression of terroir. Fermentation occurs in concrete or stainless steel tanks, with the percentage of whole clusters varying by vineyard and vintage conditions.
Aging takes place in French oak barrels, with new oak typically comprising 15-30% of the program depending on the cuvée and vintage. Premier crus generally spend 18 months in barrel before bottling without fining or filtration. The domaine's cellar management focuses on minimal intervention, allowing the wines to develop naturally while maintaining purity of fruit and site expression.
The Gouges family has also contributed technical innovations to Burgundian viticulture, most notably the "Pinot Gouges" – a white mutation of Pinot Noir discovered in their vineyards that produces their distinctive white Nuits-Saint-Georges "La Perrière Blanc."