About DOMAINE GEORGE:
Domaine George is located in Courgis, a small and picturesque village in the heart of Chablis. The history of the domaine goes back to the 1940's. In 1997 Michel George left the local cooperative to become an independent vigneron. Today his sons, David and Jonathan, after stuydying winemaking at Beaune, continue the tradition at their family winery and vineyards. The family's vinayards (17 Ha) are planted only in steep hillsides.
The Estate's vines are grown in Kimmeridgian soils comprised of limestone, clay and marine fossils (from the area's history as a sea floor). The grapes for the village level Chablis come from two different climats around Courgis – Talvat and Côte de Jouan. Usually the blend is 60% Côte de Jouan and 40% Talvat.
The Premier Cru Montmains vines were planted in 1972 and the soil at the top of the slope is almost non-existent, just between 2 to 4 inches. Below that is the rock. A few years ago I tried to make a hole with the tractor to plant a new vine. It didn't work; I thought I would destroy the tractor. It is obviously not a problem for the vines to grow there, but for me and the tractor it was a problem, laughs David George-Perpiña. The winds dries everything in Montmains in no time preventing any problems with rot or diseases.
The Premier Cru Beauregards is located just south of Courgis. There is a picnic area just above and in the distance you can see Préhy. Being quite steep it is difficult to work this vineyard. The soil is not particularly stony because it so steep. Most of the bigger stones have rolled down the slope. It is very well-exposed.
The wine is fermented in small stainless steel using natural yeasts. The wines are then left to settle naturally and kept on the lees to enhance complexity. Domaine George makes elegant and classic wines. Tastings take place in the original eighteenth century cellar. All the work in the winery is done by hand by the family. The total annual production is only 3,200 cases.
WINES AVAILABLE:
