Domaine des Varoilles

The arrival of Gilbert Hammel in 1990 marked a turning point for the Domaine. Gilbert, of Swiss descent, has made Domaine des Varoilles a go-to producer of a succulent, rounded and supremely approachable style of Gevrey-Chambertin. The Varoilles holdings include two very special premiers crus monopoles, La Romanée and Clos des Varoilles. monopole indicating that the vineyards are in the sole property of the Domaine. In fact, the name Domaine des Varoilles comes, originally, from a premier cru monopole first planted in the 12th century.

The vineyard holdings have expanded over the years, and now cover ten hectares and eight appellations – each wine produced true to subtly different origins. In Burgundy, the role of the terroir is decisive. The best soils are marls, that is to say loose clay and limestone rocks. Pinot Noir likes fairly calcareous and well-drained marly soils. If the soil is deep, clayey or silty, Pinot will give a more full-bodied wine. It is at medium altitude, on a slope where limestone dominates, that this noble grape variety gives us the most prestigious wine. The soil of Burgundy, by its diversity, gives a marvelous example of the influence it has on wines. The terroirs explain the variety of wines, each one having its own typicity. The yield is limited to 35 hl/ha, and the aging of the wines lasts 12 to 24 months, in oak barrels that are partially renewed each year. The wines produced are delicate and reveal their full potential after aging for 3 to 10 years.