With 80 hectares (197.5 acres), the Joseph Drouhin Domaine is one of the largest estates in the region. It owns vineyards in all of Burgundy: Chablis (38 hectares – 94 acres), Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, (38.5 hectares – 95 acres), Côte Chalonnaise (3,5 hectares – 8.5 acres). It is comprised of a majority of Premier and Grand Crus, planted with the two Burgundian grape varietals, pinot noir and chardonnay.
The Domaine was put together through the years, thanks to judicious purchases and agreements between families. Some vineyards are among the most famous in Burgundy, such as Clos des Mouches, Musigny, Clos de Vougeot, Corton-Charlemagne, etc.
For some village or regional appellations, Joseph Drouhin complements its supplies by purchasing grapes from other vineyard owners who have been long time partners and share the same quest of excellence.
Starting with the vintage 2008, the name “Vaudon” will be associated with Joseph Drouhin for all its Chablis wines as a sign of the firm’s allegiance to this historical terroir.
The Moulin de Vaudon, the property of Joseph Drouhin, is an 18th Century watermill straddling the Serein River, close to the Grand Cru vineyards of Chablis. Because of its unique location at the heart of their 38 hectare vineyard estate (94 acres), this historical mill is the headquarters of the Drouhin Domaine in Chablis.
The Family
Today, the House of Joseph Drouhin is run by Joseph’s four grand children, born between 1961 and 1968. They grew up practically in the vineyards and cellars. They have acquired their knowledge with their father Robert Drouhin at their side. Each one has his or her role to play and each shares the same passion for vine and wine. From vintage to vintage, they perpetuate the tradition and do not shy away from innovation in their search for elegance and perfection, the hallmark of Maison Joseph Drouhin.
Frédéric Drouhin
President of the Executive Board
Frédéric Drouhin is like the director of an orchestra. His role is to direct the development of the company. Overall strategy is his responsibility. He also pays close attention to the making of the wines. His culinary interests as a chef make him the natural spokesperson for the “art de vivre” of the House.
Frédéric Drouhin received his MBA from the University of Hartford, Connecticut. He furthered his knowledge of business and marketing at several companies before joining the House in 1995.
Véronique Drouhin-Boss
Head Winemaker
Véronique is the “guardian” of the Joseph Drouhin style. Together with enologist Jérôme Faure-Brac, she supervises the vinification of the wines, tracking their development and ageing through daily tastings with her brothers. Véronique received her National Diploma of Enology from the University of Dijon and obtained an advanced degree (Diplôme Supérieur de Recherche) for her work on the pinot noir grape varietal. She worked with Laurence Jobard, the enologist of the House, from 1976 to 2005. In 1988, together with her father Robert Drouhin, she vinified the first vintage at Domaine Drouhin in Oregon where she is still in charge of wine making.
Véronique Drouhin-Boss has three children. She is fond of music and gardening.
Philippe Drouhin
Estates Manager
Philippe is the oldest child and the man of the vine. He joined the House in 1988 and introduced the biological and biodynamic approach. He selects the vine stocks and chooses the methods of caring for the soil and cultivating the vines. His credo is to “bring natural answers to natural problems”.
Philippe graduated from the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce of Tours and the Lycée Viticole of Beaune. He also studied enology at the University of Dijon. He lives in Beaune, but loves to travel to deserts and other faraway destinations.
Laurent Drouhin
Director United States market
Laurent Drouhin is the Brand Ambassador and North American Sales Director of Maison Joseph Drouhin. Besides his commercial responsibilities, he is also involved in the estates communication activities.
He began his career by following his father around the vineyards as a boy, roller-skating through the cellars and playing hide and seek in the cuverie. He likes to say he “grew up in a barrel.” After graduating from Ecole Supérieure de Gestion in Paris Laurent began his first job working in banking, but quickly realized he missed Burgundy and was eager to share his knowledge of wine with other people. Thus, in 1993, he became involved with sales for Maison Joseph Drouhin, and two years later he became sales manager for the French capital, directing a team calling on restaurants, retailers and individual collectors.
Since 2005 he’s resided in New York with his wife Béatrice, and their two children. His creative and active personality is an ideal match for the American lifestyle, even though he likes to say that his heart remains in Burgundy. Although he loves to sail he has developed a real passion for golf.
Robert Drouhin
President of the Control Board
Robert Drouhin was the head of Joseph Drouhin from 1957 to 2003 and was the driving force in its development. He was one of the first in Burgundy to believe in the future of Chablis and created a domaine there between 1968 and 1972. In 1988, his reputation as a pioneer was confirmed when he created Domaine Drouhin in Oregon.
He was also one of the first to introduce “culture raisonnée” (doing away with pesticides) at the Domaine, even if it meant questioning time-honored methods.
Through all these years, Robert Drouhin and his wife, Françoise, have handed down ethics, passion and knowledge to their children.
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