Vincent Dauvissat

Vincent Dauvissat is one of the historic names of Chablis. The family began bottling its own wines in the 1930s, when Vincent’s grandfather Robert Dauvissat was among the early growers in the region to move away from selling wine and grapes to négociants. His son René expanded the vineyard holdings from the 1950s onwards, before Vincent took over in 1989. Today, the family works around 12 hectares, with the next generation, Ghislain and Etiennette, increasingly involved.

The vineyards cover much of the Chablis hierarchy, from Petit Chablis and Chablis to an impressive collection of Premiers and Grands Crus. Among the best-known holdings are Premier Cru La Forest, Vaillons, Séchet and Montée de Tonnerre, while at Grand Cru level Dauvissat owns parcels in Les Preuses and Les Clos. Chardonnay dominates production, complemented by a small amount of Pinot Noir from Irancy.

Dauvissat has used biodynamic methods since 2002, without seeking certification. Yields are carefully controlled and harvesting is done by hand. The cellar work is similarly traditional and restrained, with fermentation and ageing in oak, predominantly older barrels, and little intervention.

The wines are typically firm and understated when young, with acidity, minerality and structure taking precedence over obvious fruit or oak. They often need time to reveal their full character. From the village Chablis through to Les Clos, there is a consistency of style and a strong sense of place that has made Vincent Dauvissat one of the reference points for traditional Chablis.