BERNARD BURGAUD

Domaine Bernard Burgaud is a hidden gem in the heart of the Côte-Rôtie, making just one wine from 100% Syrah and representing the soul of the region.

After inheriting the family business from his father in 1980, Bernard Burgaud began bottling his wine in 1982. As of 2019, his son Pierre continues the family’s legacy as the winemaker of the domaine.

Perched atop a steep hill overlooking Ampuis, roughly 1,000 cases a year are produced from five hectares of vines planted in several famous lieux-dits – Le Champin, La Brosse, Fongeant, Leyat, Les Moutonnes and La Côte Blonde. Resisting the trend towards the bottling of individual plots, Bernard and Pierre have long held the belief that utilising all the terroirs in one wine results in a more complete and harmonious wine. Their vineyards in the Côte Brune provide power and muscularity, and those in the Côte Blonde bring finesse and elegance.

In a nod to the estate’s blend of traditional and modern techniques, the vineyards carry the Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) sustainability certification. Grapes are 100% destemmed and the wines age in a maximum of 20% new barriques for roughly 15 months.

These honest, classic and well-balanced wines resemble the most classic of Côte-Rôtie – black fruit and olives with earthy and rustic flavours. They are meant to be aged, developing into gorgeous and elegant wines.