Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard
Céline Fontaine
If terroir is key in Burgundy, the Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard is ready to unlock every door in Chassagne-Montrachet. In their hometown alone, the domaine produces wine from three Grand Crus and twelve different premier crus, including such mythic parcels as Le Montrachet, Les Caillerets, and La Romanée. Since 2007, the domaine has been ably guided by Céline Fontaine, who combines a youthful energy and touch with the Burgundian tradition established by her parents, and crafts archetypal examples of some of the greatest climats in the world.
The Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard was created in 1985 by Laurence Gagnard from the Gagnard family in Chassagne, and Richard Fontaine, who had served as an air force mechanic before establishing the new domaine with his wife. The original four hectares of vineyards came primarily from the Gagnards in Chassagne, along with a small portion from Celine’s grandmother’s family Delagrange in Pommard. Over the next twenty years, the family undertook an ambitious campaign to purchase vineyards in Chassagne and gradually increased the size of the domaine to 12 hectares.
Tradition runs deep in Burgundy, and winemaking at Fontaine-Gagnard is no exception. All wines are vinified with native yeasts. The whites are aged for one year and the reds for 18 months in the domaine’s custom-crafted barrels. Starting in the late 1980s and continuing through today, the domaine purchases their own custom French oak through a courtier de bois (wood broker), who ages the oak for them for two years, then delivers it to a local cooper to finish their custom barrels (pièces, in Burgundian slang).
Fontaine-Gagnard is one of the finest traditional domaines in the Côte d’Or. A true specialist of Chassagne, the estate produces excellent wines that set the bar high for each vintage and reflect their wide range of grand terroirs.
Key information
The wines
Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Vergers
Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Boudriotte
This wine's name comes from M Boudriot, who used to farm and make wines from Clos de la Boudriotte. This cuvée always has very high acidity.
Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets
Plot was purchased by Celine's parents in the late 1990s. Great grandfather used to go to the wine competition in Paris with his Caillerets, which he considered it his best wine. In the 1970s, Burgundy wines were not well known, and producers start...
Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Romanée
This wine's name comes from a Roman house or farm that existed in the middle ages. There was also a Roman path that went near the area. Fruit comes from the estate's highest elevation parcel and produces very small berries, which creates an elegant...
Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru
Criots was named in 1919 because the owner wanted to give a new name to his south-facing, warmer parcel than Bâtard. The wine is shows a more elegant, charming style and is ready to drink sooner than the other Grand Crus. It is the only Grand Cru e...
Le Montrachet Grand Cru
Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru
Bourgogne Rouge
Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge
Volnay 1er Cru « Clos des Chênes »
Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc
Fontaine-Gagnard makes pitch-perfect wines from Chassagne that show exactly why this terroir is so famous around the world. The 6 plots are spread over the entire appellation. Their assembly offers a fatty, fruity wine, complex at the end.
Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru « Les Chenevottes »
Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru « La Maltroie »
'Maltroie' name comes from Latin Martoritut due to the former sanctuary existence there was on this place, likely a church located there long ago. Produced by Celine's family for many generations.