Vouette et Sorbee
Summary
Vouette et Sorbée is a small-scale biodynamic grower Champagne producer in Buxières-sur-Arce in the Aube's Côte des Bar, where Bertrand Gautherot farms 5-6 hectares of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc on steep slopes of Kimmeridgian limestone. Gautherot's radical approach includes indigenous yeast fermentation in oak barrels, minimal intervention winemaking with zero to minimal dosage, and a terroir-focused philosophy that connects more closely with Burgundian traditions than conventional Champagne production, earning the estate cult status among enthusiasts seeking authentic expressions.
Heritage & Leadership
Vouette et Sorbée was founded by Bertrand Gautherot in the early 2000s, around 2001, in the village of Buxières-sur-Arce in the Côte des Bar area of southern Champagne. The domaine takes its name from two of Gautherot's vineyard parcels, Vouette and Sorbée. Prior to establishing his own winemaking operation, Gautherot sold his grapes to larger Champagne houses, a common practice in the region.
The estate is situated in the Aube department, the southernmost part of the Champagne appellation, geographically closer to Burgundy than to the more northern Champagne centers of Reims and Épernay. This location has influenced both the terroir and stylistic approach of the wines produced.
Bertrand Gautherot serves as both owner and winemaker of the domaine. His winemaking philosophy has been influenced by connections to other natural wine producers in Champagne, particularly Anselme Selosse, who has been an important figure in the development of grower Champagne. Vouette et Sorbée holds the official designation of "Récoltant-Manipulant" (RM), identifying it as a grower Champagne producer who makes wine exclusively from estate-grown grapes.
The domaine is also a member of "Les Artisans du Champagne," a group of like-minded grower-producers committed to expressing terroir through their winemaking practices.
Vineyards & Wines
Vouette et Sorbée's vineyard holdings encompass approximately 5-6 hectares in the Côte des Bar. The estate's parcels include Vouette, Sorbée, and Biaunes, situated on steep slopes with favorable exposure. The vineyards are planted on Kimmeridgian limestone and clay soils, a geological formation shared with nearby Chablis that contributes distinctive mineral characteristics to the wines.
The domaine cultivates three primary grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc. These varieties form the foundation for a focused portfolio of cuvées, each expressing different aspects of the estate's terroir.
The flagship wine, "Fidèle," is crafted predominantly from Pinot Noir and serves as the estate's signature expression. "Blanc d'Argile" represents their Chardonnay-based offering, while "Saignée de Sorbée" is a rosé Champagne produced from Pinot Noir. The portfolio also includes "Textures," a cuvée that incorporates Pinot Blanc into its composition.
Each vineyard parcel is often vinified separately before the final blending decisions are made, allowing for precise expression of the individual terroirs within the estate.
Philosophy & Practice
Vouette et Sorbée is firmly committed to biodynamic viticulture, holding certification from Demeter, the leading international biodynamic certifying organization. This approach extends from the vineyard into the cellar, where Gautherot employs minimal intervention techniques throughout the winemaking process.
The estate's production methods are characterized by several distinctive practices. Fermentation is conducted exclusively with indigenous yeasts naturally present on the grapes and in the cellar. Unlike many Champagne producers who use stainless steel, Vouette et Sorbée vinifies their wines in oak barrels, which contributes textural elements and complexity to the final products.
Another defining characteristic of the domaine's approach is the limited use of dosage—the addition of sugar solution after disgorgement. The Champagnes are produced either with zero dosage or with minimal amounts, resulting in dry expressions that showcase the purity of the fruit and the mineral character of the terroir.
The wines are typically bottled unfined and unfiltered, preserving the natural characteristics developed during fermentation and aging. This approach aligns with Gautherot's overall philosophy of allowing the vineyard's expression to shine through with minimal technological intervention.
These production choices place Vouette et Sorbée within the natural wine movement in Champagne, representing an approach that prioritizes terroir expression and traditional methods over standardization.