Marc Roy
Summary
Domaine Marc Roy is a four-generation family estate in Gevrey-Chambertin spanning just 4 hectares, primarily producing village-level Pinot Noir wines from limestone and clay soils across several distinguished lieu-dits. Under Alexandrine Roy's leadership since 2003, the domaine emphasizes sustainable viticulture, low yields, native yeast fermentations, and minimal intervention through bottling unfined and unfiltered wines that transparently express their terroir.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Marc Roy traces its roots to the late 19th century in Gevrey-Chambertin, where the Roy family has cultivated vines for four generations. The small family estate remained relatively unknown outside Burgundy until the late 1990s when Marc Roy's daughter, Alexandrine, began to take a more active role in the winery. In 2003, Alexandrine officially took over winemaking responsibilities from her father Marc, becoming the fourth generation to lead the domaine.
Alexandrine brought new energy to the family business while maintaining its traditional foundations. Her formal viticultural and oenological training, combined with practical experience gained through internships at various wineries, has shaped her approach to winemaking. Beyond her work in Burgundy, Alexandrine has expanded her winemaking portfolio by consulting for Phelps Creek Vineyards in Oregon's Columbia Gorge since 2007, where she produces Pinot Noir in a separate project that complements her Burgundian work.
## Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Marc Roy encompasses approximately 4 hectares (9.9 acres) of vineyards, all situated within the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin. The domaine's holdings are exclusively planted to Pinot Noir, with the exception of a small 0.5-hectare parcel of Chardonnay. These vineyards are divided among several lieu-dits (named vineyard sites) within the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation.
The domaine produces four distinct bottlings of Gevrey-Chambertin village wines: the traditional Vieilles Vignes cuvée from 70+ year-old vines; Clos Prieur from the vineyard of the same name situated just below the Grand Cru Mazis-Chambertin; La Justice from vineyards on the eastern side of the village; and the special Cuvée Alexandrine, a selection of the best millerandé grapes (small, concentrated berries) from across their holdings, produced only in favorable vintages. The soils across these vineyards feature the classic Burgundian mix of limestone and clay, with varying proportions that contribute to the distinctive character of each cuvée.
## Philosophy & Practice
At Domaine Marc Roy, vineyard work prioritizes low yields and optimal ripeness. The domaine practices sustainable viticulture with meticulous attention to each vine, including green harvesting when necessary to control yields and ensure concentration. In the winery, Alexandrine employs traditional Burgundian techniques with minimal intervention.
The winemaking process begins with careful sorting, followed by partial or complete destemming depending on the vintage conditions. Fermentation occurs using native yeasts in temperature-controlled tanks, with gentle extraction methods to preserve fruit purity and avoid harsh tannins. The wines age in French oak barrels for approximately 15-16 months, with new oak usage kept moderate (typically 20-30%) to complement rather than dominate the fruit character.
Bottling takes place without fining or filtration when possible, preserving the wines' natural expression. This combination of attentive vineyard management and thoughtful cellar work results in wines that reflect both their Gevrey-Chambertin origins and the Roy family's generations of winemaking experience.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Marc Roy encompasses approximately 4 hectares (9.9 acres) of vineyards, all situated within the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin. The domaine's holdings are exclusively planted to Pinot Noir, with the exception of a small 0.5-hectare parcel of Chardonnay. These vineyards are divided among several lieu-dits (named vineyard sites) within the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation.
The domaine produces four distinct bottlings of Gevrey-Chambertin village wines: the traditional Vieilles Vignes cuvée from 70+ year-old vines; Clos Prieur from the vineyard of the same name situated just below the Grand Cru Mazis-Chambertin; La Justice from vineyards on the eastern side of the village; and the special Cuvée Alexandrine, a selection of the best millerandé grapes (small, concentrated berries) from across their holdings, produced only in favorable vintages. The soils across these vineyards feature the classic Burgundian mix of limestone and clay, with varying proportions that contribute to the distinctive character of each cuvée.
## Philosophy & Practice
At Domaine Marc Roy, vineyard work prioritizes low yields and optimal ripeness. The domaine practices sustainable viticulture with meticulous attention to each vine, including green harvesting when necessary to control yields and ensure concentration. In the winery, Alexandrine employs traditional Burgundian techniques with minimal intervention.
The winemaking process begins with careful sorting, followed by partial or complete destemming depending on the vintage conditions. Fermentation occurs using native yeasts in temperature-controlled tanks, with gentle extraction methods to preserve fruit purity and avoid harsh tannins. The wines age in French oak barrels for approximately 15-16 months, with new oak usage kept moderate (typically 20-30%) to complement rather than dominate the fruit character.
Bottling takes place without fining or filtration when possible, preserving the wines' natural expression. This combination of attentive vineyard management and thoughtful cellar work results in wines that reflect both their Gevrey-Chambertin origins and the Roy family's generations of winemaking experience.
Philosophy & Practice
At Domaine Marc Roy, vineyard work prioritizes low yields and optimal ripeness. The domaine practices sustainable viticulture with meticulous attention to each vine, including green harvesting when necessary to control yields and ensure concentration. In the winery, Alexandrine employs traditional Burgundian techniques with minimal intervention.
The winemaking process begins with careful sorting, followed by partial or complete destemming depending on the vintage conditions. Fermentation occurs using native yeasts in temperature-controlled tanks, with gentle extraction methods to preserve fruit purity and avoid harsh tannins. The wines age in French oak barrels for approximately 15-16 months, with new oak usage kept moderate (typically 20-30%) to complement rather than dominate the fruit character.
Bottling takes place without fining or filtration when possible, preserving the wines' natural expression. This combination of attentive vineyard management and thoughtful cellar work results in wines that reflect both their Gevrey-Chambertin origins and the Roy family's generations of winemaking experience.