The biggest landowner in Burgundy
Maison Joseph Drouhin is both a wine trader and producer. It covers 90 appellations, of which two-thirds are its own—and nearly all of these are Grands Crus or Premiers Crus. This exceptional establishment is a pioneer in many areas.
It all started with Clos des Mouches
In 1921, Maurice Drouhin, son of Joseph, purchased his first plot. He planted Chardonnay on the site and went on to become a full-fledged producer. Clos des Mouches, which enjoys enviable sun exposure and features various terroirs, is now split between reds and whites—but all of its wines are absolutely remarkable.
A woman among the men of the trade
For nearly 30 years, 1976 to 2006, Laurence Jobard was the winery’s oenologist, creating an exceptional pair with Robert Drouhin. Her arrival raised a few eyebrows in Burgundy, as she was one of the first female oenologists to work in a male-dominated field. The legacy continues with Véronique Drouhin-Boss, who has been in charge of vinification since 2005, working jointly with oenologist Jérôme Faure-Brac.
Early adoption of organic agriculture
In 1988, the vineyard’s management decided to shift all of its operations to organic agriculture. The decision would allow them to overcome a growing problem: the chemical products being used were no longer adequate for their needs and were ruining the soil. Even though the decision was met with some resistance, today many wine growers solicit advice from this forward-thinking winery, which now uses biodynamic growing methods.
The story behind the Beaune 1er Cru Cuvée Maurice Drouhin
For many years, Maurice was a board member at the Hospices de Beaune. Few people know that the hospital offered him refuge during World War 2; like many of his peers, this viticulturist resisted the German occupation in his own way by storing his wines under the city. To repay the hospital, Maurice gave the establishment 2.9 hectares of Premier Cru plots. Every year, the wine grown on this land is included in the well-known Hospices de Beaune auction.
A taste of 1896
“A family get-together was the perfect occasion for our father, Robert, to open an 1896 Clos Vougeot and take us back through time. We were all very emotional with the knowledge that this bottle had been selected by our great-grandfather, had survived two wars, and tempted many to open it along the way, and yet it had been stored in the same cellar for more than a century. The wine was the color of pale roof tiles with a nose of dried roses and a wonderful finesse on the palate, and it expressed a whole range of aromas in an incredibly short time. Time stood still for 30 minutes while we enjoyed every last drop.” — Laurent Drouhin
Behind the Wines
Philippe Drouhin
Philippe Drouhin was born in 1961, a great year for wine in Burgundy. As the winery’s director and manager, he oversees its operations in Côte-d’Or, Chablis, and Oregon. He is one of the four Drouhin heirs, along with his brother Frédéric, president of Maison Joseph Drouhin; brother Laurent, manager of the North American market; and sister Véronique, the winery’s oenologist in Oregon.