Michel Gaunoux
Summary
Domaine Michel Gaunoux is a small, three-generation family estate in Pommard with 6 hectares of old-vine Pinot Noir vineyards across premier cru sites and the grand cru Corton-Renardes, showcasing the limestone-clay soils of the Côte de Beaune. The domaine maintains traditional Burgundian winemaking methods with extended bottle aging of 4-5 years before release, operating without a website or marketing presence as they quietly let their limited-production wines speak for themselves.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Michel Gaunoux was established in 1934 when Michel Gaunoux, a native of Burgundy, founded the estate in Pommard. The domaine remained under Michel's direction until his untimely death in 1984, at which point his wife Anne continued operations. In the early 1990s, their son Alexandre Gaunoux assumed leadership of the family business, where he continues to serve as proprietor and winemaker today. The domaine maintains its headquarters in Pommard, operating from the same facilities established by the founder. Unlike many Burgundian estates that have expanded through acquisitions or partnerships, Domaine Michel Gaunoux has maintained its independent, family-owned structure throughout its history, focusing on a small portfolio of premier and grand cru vineyards rather than expanding its production volume.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Michel Gaunoux's holdings center primarily in Pommard, where they possess parcels in several premier cru vineyards including Les Grands Epenots, Les Rugiens, and Les Combes Dessus. Their most significant holding outside Pommard is in Corton, where they own a parcel of the Corton-Renardes grand cru vineyard. The domaine's total vineyard area encompasses approximately 6 hectares. Their vineyards feature the classic limestone-clay soils of the Côte de Beaune, with variations in the proportion of limestone to clay depending on the specific site. The vines average 40-50 years of age, with some parcels containing vines over 60 years old. All vineyards are planted exclusively to Pinot Noir, reflecting the domaine's specialization in red Burgundy production. The wines are bottled as single-vineyard expressions, allowing each terroir to display its distinctive characteristics.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking approach at Domaine Michel Gaunoux adheres to traditional Burgundian methods that have remained largely unchanged for generations. After hand-harvesting, the grapes undergo complete destemming before fermentation in concrete tanks. Maceration periods typically last 15-20 days, with gentle extraction techniques employed to preserve the purity of fruit expression. The wines mature in French oak barrels for 18-24 months, with a measured approach to new oak that typically ranges from 20-30% depending on the vineyard and vintage. A defining characteristic of the domaine's practice is extended bottle aging before release—their wines often reach the market 4-5 years after harvest, significantly later than many contemporaries. The Gaunoux family maintains minimal intervention throughout the winemaking process, avoiding fining and filtering whenever possible. The domaine operates with minimal public presence, having no website and conducting limited marketing activities, instead focusing their attention on vineyard work and cellar management.