Parent, Domaine
Summary
Domaine Parent is a twelfth-generation family estate in Pommard with 10 hectares of vineyards across the Côte de Beaune, focusing primarily on Pinot Noir from limestone-clay soils with vines averaging 30-60 years old. The estate, led by sisters Anne and Catherine Parent since 1998, maintains traditional Burgundian practices including hand harvesting and native yeast fermentations while embracing organic viticulture, achieving certification in 2013.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Parent stands as one of Burgundy's historic family estates, with roots dating back to 1787 when Nicolas Parent established the domaine in Pommard. The family's wine heritage extends even further, as their ancestor Étienne Parent formed a working relationship with Thomas Jefferson in 1787, supplying the future U.S. president with Burgundian wines. Through twelve generations, the Parent family has maintained their presence in the Côte de Beaune.
A significant transition occurred in 1998 when sisters Anne and Catherine Parent assumed control of the family estate. Anne Parent serves as the primary winemaker and director, bringing formal oenological training to complement the family's traditional knowledge. Under their leadership, the domaine has expanded its vineyard holdings and refined its winemaking approach. The sisters represent the continuation of a family legacy that spans more than two centuries in Burgundy's winemaking tradition.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Parent encompasses approximately 10 hectares of vineyards spread across several communes in the Côte de Beaune. The estate's holdings center primarily in Pommard, where they cultivate parcels in premier cru sites including "Les Epenots," "Les Chaponnières," and "Les Argillieres." Additional vineyards extend into Beaune, Ladoix, and Corton, giving the domaine a diverse portfolio of terroirs.
The vineyard composition is dominated by Pinot Noir, which accounts for roughly 85% of their plantings, with the remainder dedicated to Chardonnay. Their most prestigious holding is a parcel of the Corton Grand Cru, where they produce both red (Corton Les Renardes) and white (Corton Blanc) expressions. The vineyards feature the classic limestone-clay soils of the Côte de Beaune, with variations in the proportion of clay, limestone, and marl contributing to the distinctive character of each wine. Most of the estate's vines average between 30 and 60 years of age, with some older parcels exceeding 70 years.
Philosophy & Practice
Domaine Parent has embraced organic viticulture, receiving official certification in 2013 after a three-year conversion period. This commitment extends throughout their vineyard management practices, which emphasize soil health and biodiversity. The domaine employs traditional methods including hand harvesting, careful sorting, and predominantly native yeast fermentations.
In the cellar, Anne Parent follows Burgundian winemaking traditions while incorporating modern precision. Red wines undergo varying periods of maceration depending on the vintage and vineyard, typically lasting between 15 and 21 days. Aging takes place in French oak barrels, with the percentage of new oak adjusted according to the wine's classification—village wines receive approximately 20-30% new oak, premier crus 30-40%, and grand crus up to 50%. The domaine practices minimal intervention during the aging process, which typically extends from 12 to 18 months depending on the wine's structure and the characteristics of the vintage. Before bottling, the wines remain unfined and undergo only light filtration when necessary.