Domaine Sylvain Cathiard et Fils

The domaine traces its roots to the 1930s, when Sylvain Cathiard's grandfather established the estate after working for both Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Domaine Lamarche. André Cathiard ran the property from 1969 to 1985, at which point Sylvain took the reins. Sylvain initially rented additional parcels before consolidating the family vineyards. His son Sébastien joined in 2006 and assumed full control in 2011, bringing a refined sensibility to an already distinguished estate.

• Founded in the 1930s by Sylvain's grandfather, a former DRC and Lamarche worker
• André Cathiard managed the domaine from 1969 to 1985
• Sylvain Cathiard took over in 1985 and expanded via rented parcels
• Sébastien Cathiard joined in 2006 and led the domaine from 2011 onward

The domaine's 5.5 hectares are spread across three of the Côte de Nuits' most prestigious communes: Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-St-Georges, and Chambolle-Musigny. The Grand Cru holdings include a tiny but coveted parcel of Romanée-St-Vivant and a slice of Clos de Vougeot. At Premier Cru level, the domaine holds parcels in Aux Malconsorts, Les Reignots, Les Suchots, and En Orveaux. All vineyards are planted exclusively to Pinot Noir and sit on limestone soils with a clay overlay, typical of the Côte de Nuits.

• Vineyards span Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-St-Georges, and Chambolle-Musigny
• Grand Crus include Romanée-St-Vivant and Clos de Vougeot
• Premier Crus: Aux Malconsorts, Les Reignots, Les Suchots, En Orveaux
• Soils are limestone with clay overlay under a continental climate

Cathiard wines are built on minimal intervention. Fermentation uses ambient yeast and de-stemmed fruit, preserving the vineyard's natural character. Village-level wines spend 16 to 22 months in oak with 30 to 40% new barrels, while Premier Crus see 60 to 70% new oak over the same period. No fining is applied, though some filtration is used. Since taking full control, Sébastien has reduced new oak percentages and invested in a new winery and cellar, refining the house style toward even greater elegance.

• De-stemmed fermentation with ambient yeast and minimal intervention
• Village wines: 30-40% new oak; Premier Crus: 60-70% new oak
• Aged 16-22 months in barrel with no fining
• Sébastien has reduced new oak use and modernized the cellar facilities

The vineyards are worked organically, with practices aimed at preserving soil health and biodiversity. The domaine has not pursued formal organic certification, but the commitment to chemical-free viticulture is genuine and consistent. This approach, combined with the quality of the terroir in Vosne-Romanée and neighboring communes, underpins the purity and definition that define Cathiard wines.

• Organic viticulture practiced across all holdings
• No formal certification, but consistent chemical-free farming
• Limestone and clay soils contribute to the wines' structure and precision