Givry AOC

Viticulture in Givry traces its roots to the Gallo-Roman period, with amphora fragments discovered throughout the village confirming early wine production. During the Middle Ages, Cistercian monks from the Abbey of La Ferté founded the Cellier aux Moines in 1130, establishing winemaking traditions that endure today. Givry rose to its greatest historic prominence under the Bourbon kings, with Henri IV reportedly making it his preferred wine. The Papal Court in Avignon was also a steady customer during the 14th century. After declining through the phylloxera crisis and the early 20th century, a committed group of growers including the Joblot, Lumpp, Ragot, and Chofflet families drove a quality renaissance from the 1970s onward, bottling their own wines and replanting abandoned hillsides.

• Cistercian monks founded the Cellier aux Moines in 1130, one of Burgundy's oldest wine estates
• King Henri IV (1553–1610) is recorded as a devoted Givry enthusiast, cementing the appellation's royal prestige
• The Papal Court in Avignon regularly purchased Givry and Jambles wines from the mid-14th century
• A post-1970s quality renaissance driven by families like Joblot, Lumpp, and Chofflet established the modern appellation's reputation

Givry sits at the center of the Côte Chalonnaise, approximately 10 kilometers west of Chalon-sur-Saône, spanning three communes: Givry (with its hamlets Poncey, Cortiambles, and Russilly), Dracy-le-Fort, and Jambles. The vineyards occupy slopes at altitudes of 240 to 280 metres, with some parcels such as Les Bois Chevaux reaching slightly higher. Soils are principally brown earths derived from the breakdown of Oxfordian Jurassic limestone and clay-limestone, providing excellent drainage and characteristic mineral expression. The continental climate, with long, warm summers and relatively dry autumns, creates a favorable growing season, while local topography moderates temperatures and helps wines retain freshness.

• Three communes: Givry, Dracy-le-Fort, and Jambles, located about 10 km west of Chalon-sur-Saône
• Soils are Oxfordian Jurassic limestone and clay-marl, promoting drainage and mineral character
• Vines planted facing east-southeast or due south at 240 to 280 metres elevation
• Continental climate with warm summers and dry autumns; altitude moderates temperatures and preserves acidity

Pinot Noir dominates Givry production at roughly 80% of total output, yielding red wines with a carmine color and aromas of violets, strawberries, and blackberries, sometimes with notes of cloves or game. The wines carry firm tannins in youth but become suppler and fuller after three to five years in bottle. White Givry, made from Chardonnay, accounts for the remaining production and displays bright pale gold color, aromas of honey and lemon, and a delicate balance of mellowness and acidity that gives it good aging potential. Givry has no Grand Cru vineyards, so quality expression is pursued primarily through Premier Cru designations.

• Pinot Noir: firm tannic structure when young, developing suppleness after 3 to 5 years; aromas of violet, strawberry, and blackberry
• Chardonnay: bright pale gold, aromas of honey and lemon with dried fruit notes emerging with age
• No Grand Cru vineyards exist in Givry; the 38 Premier Cru climates represent the appellation's quality ceiling
• Red wines are typically light to medium-bodied, regarded as approachable earlier than counterparts from Mercurey to the north

Givry's grower community is anchored by several family estates with deep generational roots. Domaine Joblot is widely credited with putting Givry on Burgundy's quality map; today Juliette Joblot farms 13.5 hectares including Premier Cru parcels of Servoisine and Clos du Cellier aux Moines, picking for acidity and practicing sustainable viticulture. Domaine du Cellier aux Moines, restored by the Pascal family after their 2004 acquisition, farms 10 hectares biodynamically and is classified as a Monument Historique. Domaine François Lumpp is celebrated for Premier Cru offerings including Clos Jus. Domaine Chofflet-Valdenaire produces accessible, fruit-forward Pinot Noirs and Blancs from well-placed parcels including Clos de Choue. The Domaine du Clos Salomon (Du Gardin family) holds the Clos Salomon Premier Cru monopole.

• Domaine Joblot: 13.5 ha, Premier Crus of Servoisine and Clos du Cellier aux Moines, now led by Juliette Joblot
• Domaine du Cellier aux Moines: founded 1130, restored by Pascal family in 2004, 10 ha farmed biodynamically
• Domaine François Lumpp: known for Premier Cru Clos Jus and Le Vigron, elegant and precise style
• Domaine Chofflet-Valdenaire and Domaine du Clos Salomon (Du Gardin): essential traditional producers

Givry AOC is one of five communal appellations in the Côte Chalonnaise, alongside Bouzeron, Rully, Mercurey, and Montagny. The appellation designates 38 Premier Cru climates, a notably high proportion representing around 46% of the total AOC vineyard area. Premier Cru wines may carry the individual climat name on label or be labeled simply as Givry Premier Cru when blended from multiple sites. Yield limits are 54 hl/ha for village reds, 52 hl/ha for Premier Cru reds, 60 hl/ha for village whites, and 58 hl/ha for Premier Cru whites. There are no Grand Cru sites anywhere in the Côte Chalonnaise.

• One of five Côte Chalonnaise communal AOCs; no Grand Cru vineyards exist in the subregion
• 38 Premier Cru climates, accounting for approximately 46% of Givry's vineyard surface
• Yield limits: 54 hl/ha (village red), 52 hl/ha (Premier Cru red), 60 hl/ha (village white), 58 hl/ha (Premier Cru white)
• Premier Cru labels may carry a single climat name or blend multiple climates under the generic Premier Cru designation

Givry is a relaxed, authentically Burgundian village situated about 10 kilometers west of Chalon-sur-Saône, easily reached by car or from the Chalon-sur-Saône rail station. The village itself retains historic architecture, including the preserved Cellier aux Moines, a listed Monument Historique dating to 1130. Most estates operate small domain tasting rooms, typically by appointment, offering intimate encounters with winemakers across a range of village and Premier Cru bottlings. Givry makes an excellent base for exploring the broader Côte Chalonnaise, with Mercurey to the north and Montagny to the south both within easy reach.

• Located about 10 km west of Chalon-sur-Saône; accessible by car or regional train
• The Cellier aux Moines, founded in 1130 and classified as a Monument Historique, is a key historic landmark
• Most producers offer appointment-only tastings for an intimate, winemaker-led experience
• Central position in the Côte Chalonnaise makes Givry an ideal base for exploring Mercurey, Rully, and Montagny