Jacques Prieur, Domaine
Summary
Domaine Jacques Prieur is a family-owned Burgundian estate managing 21 hectares across 22 appellations in both Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines from an exceptional portfolio of nine Grand Crus and fourteen Premier Crus on limestone-clay soils. The domaine embraces traditional Burgundian winemaking with biodynamic farming practices, minimal intervention techniques, and careful oak aging to faithfully express their diverse terroirs while maintaining consistent quality across their impressive range.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Jacques Prieur was established in 1868 when Jacques Prieur, a négociant from Meursault, consolidated various vineyard holdings under a single estate. The domaine's true distinction emerged through the vision of its founder to acquire parcels in some of Burgundy's most notable terroirs across both the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. Following Jacques Prieur's death in 1994, ownership transferred to the Labruyère family, led by Jean-Pierre Labruyère, who had partnered with the Prieur family since 1988. Today, Edouard Labruyère represents the fifth generation of his family and serves as the managing director of the estate. The technical direction has been under the steady guidance of Nadine Gublin since 1990, whose three-decade tenure has provided continuity through ownership changes. Martin Prieur, grandson of the founder, maintained family involvement as a technical advisor until recently, preserving the connection to the domaine's origins.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Jacques Prieur manages 21 hectares of vineyards distributed across 22 appellations in Burgundy, including holdings in nine Grand Crus and fourteen Premier Crus. This geographic diversity is unusual in Burgundy, where most domaines concentrate in either the Côte de Nuits or Côte de Beaune. The estate's parcels include sections in Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne, Chevalier-Montrachet, and Meursault Perrières for white wines, alongside red wine vineyards in Musigny, Chambertin, Corton, Échezeaux, and Clos Vougeot. Their Beaune Clos de la Féguine and Beaune Champs-Pimont vineyards are monopoles, owned exclusively by the domaine. The vineyards feature predominantly limestone-clay soils with variations reflecting each specific terroir. Pinot Noir comprises approximately 60% of plantings, with Chardonnay making up the remaining 40%. Vine age averages 30 years across the estate, with some parcels containing vines over 70 years old, particularly in their Chambertin and Montrachet holdings.
Philosophy & Practice
Since 2009, Domaine Jacques Prieur has implemented biodynamic farming practices across all its vineyards, receiving Demeter certification in 2018. The viticultural approach emphasizes manual work, including hand harvesting, with yields deliberately kept low through severe pruning and green harvesting when necessary. In the winery, white grapes undergo whole-cluster pressing followed by barrel fermentation and aging on lees for 15-18 months in French oak, with new oak percentages varying from 20% for village wines to 50% for Grand Crus. For red wines, the domaine practices partial or complete destemming depending on the vintage, followed by cold maceration lasting 5-7 days. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled wooden vats with gentle extraction techniques. Aging takes place in French oak barrels for 18-22 months, with new oak ranging from 30% for village wines to 70% for Grand Crus. The domaine bottles without fining or filtration when conditions permit. This methodical approach reflects their commitment to expressing each vineyard's distinct character while maintaining consistency across their diverse holdings.