DOMAINE GUILBERT GILLET

Savigny Les Beaune

Domaine Guilbert Gillet was founded in 2020 by Benjamin Guilbert and his wife Caroline in Savigny-lès-Beaune assisted in their project by René Gillet their business partner.
Hidden discreetly between the national road and the vineyards, the estate’s modest home and underground cellar reflect the artisanal scale of this family-run domaine, which has quickly gained attention for the precision and authenticity of its wines. Covering 3.6 hectares of vineyards, including 0.5 hectares of white, the domaine mostly cultivates their own parcels in Savigny-lès-Beaune. Despite its small size, the estate has from the outset focused on producing wines that capture the true essence of Savigny’s terroir.

Benjamin’s path to winemaking is marked by rigorous training and global experience rather than family inheritance. After completing oenology studies in Mâcon and earning a diploma in Montpellier, he obtained a Master of Science with the International Organization of Vine and Wine, a program that took him to 25 wine regions worldwide in less than a year. His formative experiences include work at many prestigious estates however Benjamin Guilbert cites Jacky Truchot, the legendary former producer in Morey-Saint-Denis, as his most important mentor, and his philosophy is deeply influenced by Truchot’s respect for the land, emphasis on traditional methods, and commitment to letting terroir speak clearly in the glass.

From its inception, Domaine Guilbert Gillet has been dedicated to organic and sustainable viticulture. The vines are trained on high trellises, pruned with precision, and farmed with practices that prioritize soil health and biodiversity. Each of the twelve vineyard plots is treated individually according to its particular needs and characteristics, reflecting the domaine’s belief that every site possesses its own identity and must be managed accordingly. A striking example of this approach is the 0.7 hectares of échalas-trained vines, worked entirely by hand and with horse-drawn plows, which produced the domaine’s first Savigny “Échalas” cuvée in 2022, alongside an Aligoté and Savigny 1er Cru Les Rouvrettes. Harvesting is meticulous, with three levels of selection—one in the vineyard and two on sorting tables in the winery—ensuring that only the highest-quality fruit is used.

The winemaking follows a traditional Burgundian approach, carried out almost entirely by hand from harvest to bottling. Red grapes are fully destemmed, undergo long macerations, and are pressed slowly and gently in the classical manner. Aging takes place in oak barrels for at least 18 months without racking, allowing the wines to develop naturally and harmoniously. Bottling is done by gravity and timed to coincide with favorable lunar phases, a reflection of the domaine’s respect for natural rhythms. The result is a range of wines that are elegant, precise, and expressive, faithfully conveying the subtleties of their terroirs.

Although Domaine Guilbert Gillet is still a young estate, its growth has been rapid. From producing mostly négoce wines in 2021, the range evolved to a dozen domaine wines and no longer any négoce bottlings by 2025, many of which have become highly sought after by collectors and Burgundy enthusiasts. One of the particularity of this Domaine is that from day one they had a vision not only on viticulture and winemaking but also on distribution. They spent an enormous time in checking the markets worldwide and ensuring they work with the right wine importers which could be a continuity of the work they do at the estate - and that makes a huge difference to other domaines - thanks to all the previous work experiences they had together before setting the Domaine Guilbert Gillet.

Domaine Guilbert Gillet represents a new generation of Burgundy producers: deeply rooted in tradition yet driven by curiosity, discipline, and a global perspective. Every decision, from vineyard management to cellar practice, is guided by a respect for the land and a desire to produce wines that are honest, pure, and reflective of their origins. In a short time, Benjamin Guilbert and Caroline have built a domaine that stands out for its integrity, precision, and unwavering commitment to expressing the true character of Burgundy’s terroirs.

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