Domaine Borgeot: A Legacy of Craftsmanship in Burgundy Wine
Located in the heart of the famous Burgundy wine region, Domaine Borgeot is one of our ‘hidden gem’ Burgundy winemakers whose wines we offer on BurgundyWine.com. Pascal and his brother Laurent are renowned producers whose history and dedication to quality have garnered them an impressive reputation on the region’s prestigious wine scene. Located in the Côte de Beaune, the estate produces wines that reflect both the unique terroir of the region and the craftsmanship of its family owners.
A Burgundy Winemaker and Friend for Decades
We vividly remember the exact day we met Pascal Borgeot: January 28, 1989. There’s a poster on our wall to commemorate the occasion—not the meeting itself, but the day. It was a cold Saturday in Santenay, and the village was decorated with paper flowers to celebrate the Feast of St. Vincent Tournante, the patron saint of winemakers. This festival changes location each year, and the people of Burgundy take it very seriously, dedicating much of the year to its preparation.
At that time, Pascal was 29 and was in the process of building a small domain in the village of Remigny. He was restoring an old winemaker’s house that backed onto the Canal du Centre, situated in one of the most beautiful spots in the Côte d’Or. We were running Papillon, our hotel-barge, at that time, and we met many people in the barge community. Some of these connections knew Pascal, as they had moored their barges just behind his house and conducted wine tastings there with their passengers. On St. Vincent’s Day, friends took us to meet the Borgeots for the first time, and our friendship has been growing from that moment ever since.
The Terroir: A Jewel of Burgundy
Burgundy is a region renowned for its terroir, probably more so than any other wine region in the world. Terroir simply means the combination of climate, soil and geography that influence the flavors and characteristics of its wines. The Côte de Beaune, home to Domaine Borgeot and some of the other finest Burgundy winemakers the region has to offer, is a particularly coveted area for wine production. This region benefits from rich soil and varied rock formations, and a temperate climate with the perfect balance of sunshine and rainfall. That allows for slow ripening of the grapes, and the development of the complex flavors that define Burgundy wines.
Domaine Borgeot’s vineyards span several prestigious appellations, including Santenay (the former spa town with its picture-postcard windmill), and Chassagne Montrachet (part of the hallowed “Golden Triangle” of white wine production). Their land is divided between Premier Cru and Village-level plots.
Craftsmanship in the Cellar
For Burgundy winemakers like Domaine Borgeot, winemaking is both an art and a science. They value patience and respect for the natural processes of fermentation and aging. The estate’s winemaking philosophy involves minimal intervention, allowing the grapes’ true potential to shine through.
They pick individual grape parcels by hand and sort them for the fermentation tanks. Doing this manually means they avoid unnecessary stems and leaves getting into the mix. They then undergo 12 days of cold maceration (where the grapes are soaked to allow the juice, skins and seeds to release their flavors and tannins). They use a modern pneumatic press, allowing the fruitiness to be preserved whilst the minerality is brought to the fore. They age most of their wines in oak (usually 25% new oak) and each bottle undergoes a light filtration.
Cote de Beaune Wines: A Snapshot of Borgeot Quality
Domaine Borgeot produces a range of wines that cater to both Burgundy purists and those new to the region. From the entry-level Village wines to the more complex Premier Cru bottlings, each wine offers a unique expression of Burgundy’s terroir. Here are just some of the wines we stock:
- Domaine Borgeot Santenay ‘Vieilles Vignes’: Year in and year out, Borgeot Santenay ‘Vieilles Vignes’ (which translates to ‘Old Vines’) remains one of our favorite wines. While the term ‘Vieilles Vignes’ does not have an official age requirement, in this case, the vines were actually planted by Pascal’s grandfather! This wine exemplifies our image of Pinot Noir from the Côtes de Beaune. It is one of the best values in Red Burgundy on our site, which explains why it is often among the first to sell out.
- Domaine Borgeot Chassagne Montrachet Vieilles Vignes: This village-level vineyard has roots that trace back to the Cistercian monks, and its name references the grounds of their ‘Abbaye de Morgeot.’ If you are not familiar with Chassagne-Montrachet red, you are missing out on one of the great pleasures of Pinot Noir in Burgundy. Under the stewardship of Burgundy winemakers like the Borgeot brothers, Pinot Noir is a true gem—luscious, juicy, and with a great structure and density infused with black fruit flavors.
- Domaine Borgeot Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru ‘Clos St Jean’: This wine comes from one of the finest Premier Cru vineyards in Chassagne-Montrachet, located just below the village quarry. The ‘Clos St Jean’ showcases a remarkable minerality. It has a bright gold color and exhibits youthful exotic fruit flavors that hint at grilled almonds. The wine is elegant and well-balanced, with a great long finish that is beautifully carried through by its minerality.
- Domaine Borgeot Bourgogne Blanc ‘Clos de la Carbonade’: This exceptional regional wine comes from a unique parcel located in the village of Bouzeron, which is exclusively cultivated by the talented winemakers at Domaine Borgeot. While the Borgeot brothers are primarily recognized for their remarkable village and premier cru wines from Burgundy’s renowned “golden triangle” in the Côte de Beaune, this offering from the Côte Chalonnaise deserves attention as well. Don’t be deceived by its modest classification. Available to ship July 2025.
Sustainability and Future Growth
Domaine Borgeot’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond just the vineyard. The estate actively works to reduce its environmental impact through initiatives such as energy-efficient practices, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting biodiversity on its land. They also focus on preserving the local ecosystem by avoiding the use of pesticides and potentially harmful chemicals.
The Borgeot brothers are fourth-generation Burgundy winemakers. The future looks promising for this Domaine with the introduction of Julia Borgeot, Pascal’s daughter, who is a talented and impressive winemaker in her own right. We have known Julia since she was a small child, and it’s exciting to see her growth in the industry. Exciting times lie ahead!
Watch our video here of us tasting with Domaine Borgeot in our Cellar, plus other interviews with Burgundy winemakers.
And why not visit our cellar yourself and be a guest at our Burgundian manor house amongst the vines? We’re open to wine enthusiasts like you, so why not browse our website and make your booking today?