Verget
Summary
Maison Verget is a specialized négociant founded in 1990 by Jean-Marie Guffens in Mâcon-Vergisson, focusing on terroir-expressive white Burgundies sourced from carefully selected vineyards across the Mâconnais, Chablis, and Côte de Beaune. Guffens maintains control by purchasing grapes rather than finished wines, employing minimal intervention techniques including barrel fermentation, extended lees contact, and limited filtration to preserve each site's distinctive character.
Heritage & Leadership
Maison Verget was established in 1990 by Jean-Marie Guffens and his wife Maine Heynen in the village of Mâcon-Vergisson in southern Burgundy. The Belgian-born Guffens, who had already founded Domaine Guffens-Heynen in 1979, created Verget as a separate négociant business focused primarily on white Burgundy production. Unlike traditional négociants who often purchase finished wines, Guffens built Verget on the principle of controlling the winemaking process from an early stage by purchasing grapes or must directly from growers across Burgundy's key appellations.
Under Guffens' direction, Verget quickly developed a reputation for producing site-specific wines that showcase the diverse terroirs of Burgundy. The company maintains its headquarters in Mâcon-Vergisson, strategically positioned to access vineyards throughout the Mâconnais, while also producing wines from Chablis, the Côte Chalonnaise, and the Côte de Beaune. Guffens continues to serve as the principal winemaker and driving force behind Verget's operations, maintaining direct relationships with growers and overseeing production decisions.
Vineyards & Wines
As a négociant, Verget does not own vineyards but instead sources grapes from carefully selected sites across Burgundy's appellations. The company works with numerous growers in the Mâconnais, including vineyards in Pouilly-Fuissé, Saint-Véran, and various Mâcon villages. In Chablis, Verget produces wines from multiple premier cru and grand cru sites, while also crafting wines from prestigious Côte de Beaune appellations such as Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, and Chassagne-Montrachet.
Verget's portfolio consists predominantly of Chardonnay-based wines, reflecting the company's specialization in white Burgundy. The range typically includes village-level wines, premier crus, and grand crus, with production varying annually based on grape availability and quality. Guffens selects vineyard parcels based on their soil composition, exposure, and vine age, often preferring older vines for their depth and complexity. The company produces distinct bottlings from specific vineyard sites, allowing consumers to experience the nuanced differences between Burgundy's diverse terroirs.
Philosophy & Practice
Verget's winemaking philosophy centers on minimal intervention and the clear expression of terroir. Guffens insists on purchasing grapes or must rather than finished wine, allowing him to control the vinification process. Harvested grapes are transported quickly to the winery, where they are pressed using pneumatic presses to extract juice gently. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled environments, primarily in oak barrels, with the percentage of new oak varying according to the appellation and vintage characteristics.
The company employs a distinctive approach to lees management, with Guffens often preferring extended lees contact to build texture and complexity in the wines. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally, and the wines typically age in barrel for 11-18 months depending on the appellation and vintage. Filtration is minimal or avoided entirely when possible. Throughout the winemaking process, Guffens focuses on preserving the distinctive character of each vineyard site, allowing the natural qualities of the fruit to determine the wine's final profile rather than imposing a predetermined style. This commitment to terroir expression has remained consistent throughout Verget's history, establishing the company as a reference point for terroir-driven white Burgundy.