Bouchard Pere & Fils Meursault Les Clous

Founded in 1731, Bouchard Père & Fils is one of Burgundy's oldest wine houses and among the largest private estate owners in the Côte d'Or. Based in Beaune and combining the roles of négociant-éleveur and substantial estate proprietor, the House has built a portfolio spanning appellations from Chablis to the Côte de Nuits. Its wines balance traditional Burgundian craftsmanship with consistent precision across village, Premier Cru and Grand Cru bottlings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Quick Facts

• Location: Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, France
• Founded: 1731
• Ownership: Champagne Henriot family since 1995, following family stewardship from 1731 to 1995
• Estate size: Approximately 130 hectares of owned vineyards
• Principal grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
• Classification: Grand Cru and Premier Cru estate holdings across the Côte d'Or
• Key Grand Cru sites: Chevalier-Montrachet, Le Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne, Bonnes-Mares, Clos de la Roche
• Signature vineyard: Beaune Grèves Vigne de l'Enfant Jésus (Premier Cru monopole)
• Soils: Predominantly limestone-rich subsoils with varied topsoils reflecting the diversity of Burgundy's appellations
• Cellars: Historic vaulted caves beneath Beaune, among the largest and oldest in the region
• Style: Classic Burgundian expression with structure, balance and exceptional ageing potential

Nearly Three Centuries of Burgundian Heritage

Michel Bouchard established the House in 1731, initially as a textile business that expanded into wine. By the late 18th century, the family had committed fully to viticulture and négociant activity, beginning a period of gradual vineyard acquisition that continued across two and a half centuries. The House remained under Bouchard family stewardship until 1995, when it was acquired by Champagne Henriot, ensuring continuity of traditional winemaking while bringing additional resources for viticulture and cellar infrastructure.

The combination of négociant expertise and substantial estate ownership has allowed Bouchard Père & Fils to maintain a comprehensive range of Burgundy appellations. The House now controls one of the region's most significant single holdings of Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards, providing direct access to some of Burgundy's most celebrated terroirs.

The Grand Cru Portfolio

Bouchard Père & Fils holds parcels in several of Burgundy's most distinguished Grand Cru appellations. Among white wines, the House owns plots in Chevalier-Montrachet, widely regarded as one of the finest expressions of Chardonnay in the world, and Le Montrachet itself. Corton-Charlemagne, the largest white Grand Cru of the Côte d'Or, also forms part of the estate holdings, producing wines of power and mineral precision.

For Pinot Noir, the House farms parcels in Bonnes-Mares and Clos de la Roche in the Côte de Nuits, alongside holdings in Corton and other red Grand Cru sites. These vineyards, planted on limestone-rich slopes with varied exposures and elevations, benefit from meticulous viticulture and low yields designed to preserve concentration and terroir expression.

Each Grand Cru bottling is vinified and aged separately, allowing the distinct character of individual sites to emerge clearly in the finished wines.

Beaune Grèves Vigne de l'Enfant Jésus

Among the estate's Premier Cru holdings, Beaune Grèves Vigne de l'Enfant Jésus occupies a unique position. This 4.4-hectare monopole, entirely owned by Bouchard Père & Fils, lies on the mid-slope of the Grèves climat in the heart of Beaune. Its southeast exposure, gravel-rich topsoil over limestone bedrock and careful vine management produce a Pinot Noir of elegance, structure and aromatic refinement.

First documented in the 17th century and named after an order of Carmelite nuns who previously owned the vineyard, Vigne de l'Enfant Jésus has become one of the estate's most recognisable wines. It combines the accessible, silky texture associated with Beaune Premier Cru with the depth and complexity required for extended ageing.

The monopole is vinified with traditional techniques, including a relatively long maceration period and maturation in French oak barrels, a proportion of which are new. The resulting wine expresses both the Grèves terroir and the continuity of the estate's winemaking approach.

The Cellars Beneath Beaune

Bouchard Père & Fils maintains an extensive network of vaulted cellars beneath the historic centre of Beaune. Dating from the 15th century and originally constructed as fortifications, these underground galleries now extend across several levels and provide cool, stable conditions for the slow maturation of the House's wines.

The cellars hold one of Burgundy's largest privately owned stocks of ageing wine, including reserve vintages and library bottles that extend back several decades. This inventory allows the House to release wines only when they have reached an appropriate stage of development, reinforcing the traditional Burgundian view that fine wine requires patience both in the cellar and the bottle.

The combination of historic infrastructure, substantial estate vineyards and long experience in both vineyard management and cellar work has established Bouchard Père & Fils as a consistent reference point for classic Burgundy across a wide range of appellations and price levels.