Rapet, Domaine
Summary
Domaine Rapet is a family-owned estate dating to 1765, farming 20 hectares across the northern Côte de Beaune with prized Grand Cru parcels on the Hill of Corton, where iron-rich soils and white marl contribute to their structured Pinot Noir and mineral-driven Chardonnay. Their winemaking balances tradition with careful innovation, employing sustainable viticulture, hand-harvesting, and judicious oak aging to create wines that transparently express their historic Burgundian terroirs.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Rapet traces its origins to 1765 in the village of Pernand-Vergelesses, nestled in the hills of Burgundy's Côte de Beaune. The estate has remained family-owned throughout its history, with each generation transferring viticultural knowledge and terroir understanding to the next. Today, Vincent Rapet directs the domaine, continuing the family tradition with his son Julien gradually taking on more responsibilities in both vineyard management and cellar work. The Rapet family has maintained their focus on expressing the distinctive terroirs of Pernand-Vergelesses and neighboring appellations, particularly their parcels on the Hill of Corton. Their longstanding presence in the region has allowed them to acquire and maintain holdings in some of the area's most distinctive vineyard sites.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Rapet cultivates approximately 20 hectares of vineyards spread across several appellations in the northern Côte de Beaune. Their holdings include parcels in Pernand-Vergelesses, Aloxe-Corton, Savigny-lès-Beaune, and Beaune. The crown jewels of their portfolio are their Grand Cru parcels on the Hill of Corton, including sections of Corton for red wine production and Corton-Charlemagne for white wine. Their vineyards span various exposures and soil compositions, from the iron-rich red soils that produce structured Pinot Noir to the white marl soils that give their Chardonnays minerality and tension. The domaine produces both village-level wines and premier cru bottlings from sites like Pernand-Vergelesses "Ile des Vergelesses" and "Les Vergelesses." The vines average 35-40 years in age, with some older parcels exceeding 60 years, contributing to the concentration and complexity in their wines.
Philosophy & Practice
Domaine Rapet adheres to traditional Burgundian winemaking methods while incorporating modern precision where beneficial. In the vineyards, they practice sustainable viticulture with meticulous attention to canopy management and yield control. Harvest is conducted by hand, with careful sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery. For white wines, whole-cluster pressing is followed by barrel fermentation and aging on lees in French oak, with approximately 20-25% new oak for village wines and up to 35% for premier and grand crus. Red wines undergo partial destemming, with the percentage varying by vintage conditions. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled tanks before aging in French oak barrels for 12-18 months depending on the appellation level. The Rapets focus on minimal intervention in the cellar, allowing their terroirs to express themselves through the wines. Their approach balances respect for tradition with practical adaptations to each vintage's unique characteristics.