Domaine Bernard Dugat Py winery
Domaine Dugat-Py is a family-run wine estate located in Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy, with roots tracing back to the 17th century. The estate is currently managed by Bernard Dugat and his son Loïc, who represent the 12th and 13th generations of winegrowers in the family. Their philosophy centers on respect for tradition, the land, and the vines, with a strong commitment to producing expressive, authentic Burgundy wines that reflect their exceptional terroirs.
The vineyards of Dugat-Py cover approximately 10 hectares, predominantly situated in Gevrey-Chambertin, but also extending into neighboring appellations such as Charmes-Chambertin, Mazoyères-Chambertin, Mazis-Chambertin, and Pommard. The estate’s holdings include prestigious Grand Cru and Premier Cru plots, with many vines aged between 30 and 100 years old. These old vines, cultivated using traditional methods, contribute to the intensity, complexity, and age-worthiness of the wines.
Viticulture at Dugat-Py is guided by organic principles. The estate has practiced organic farming since 2003, and all vineyard work is done by hand, including pruning, debudding, trellising, and harvesting. The use of herbicides and synthetic chemicals is strictly avoided, and the soils are worked by plowing to encourage deep root systems and healthy microbial life. Yields are kept low to ensure concentration and quality in the grapes, and meticulous attention is paid to each parcel to bring out the unique character of every site.
Winemaking at Dugat-Py emphasizes minimal intervention. Grapes are sorted rigorously both in the vineyard and at the winery to ensure only the highest quality fruit is used. Fermentation takes place in open wooden vats using indigenous yeasts, and the percentage of whole cluster fermentation varies depending on the vintage and the cuvée. Extraction is gentle, with careful management of punch-downs and pump-overs to preserve the delicate aromas and structure of the Pinot Noir grape. The wines are aged in French oak barrels, with a significant proportion of new oak for the top cuvées, for periods ranging from 16 to 18 months. Bottling is done without fining or filtration to preserve purity and complexity.
Dugat-Py produces a range of wines that express the diversity and richness of Burgundy’s terroirs. The portfolio includes village-level wines from Gevrey-Chambertin, Premier Crus such as Lavaux Saint-Jacques, Les Champeaux, and Petite Chapelle, and several Grand Crus including Mazoyères-Chambertin, Mazis-Chambertin, and Charmes-Chambertin. Each wine is crafted to showcase the individual qualities of its origin, with a focus on depth, finesse, and longevity. The estate also produces small quantities of white wine from Chardonnay grown in Chassagne-Montrachet, made with the same attention to detail as the reds.
Visitors can arrange tastings by appointment, offering a chance to experience the estate’s wines and learn about their philosophy and practices firsthand. The Dugat family’s dedication to tradition, organic viticulture, and precise winemaking has established the domaine as a benchmark for classic, terroir-driven Burgundy wines that are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.