Domaine Anne Gros

THE DOMAINE

Described by Clive Coates, MW, as “Quietly confident”, with a “sure, perfectionist touch”, winemaker Anne Gros is uniquely talented in her ability to draw from a rich history of family tradition whilst forging a singularly individual path in the world of wine.

Anne Gros was initially worked with her father François, but in 1995 ill health forced his retirement and thereafter the property was known as Domaine Anne Gros. Today the Domaine covers 6.5 hectares in and around Vosne-Romanée, while her most important holdings are in 3 Grands Crus: 

•                 Clos Vougeot, from 0.9 hectares in the sector called ‘Grand Maupertui’, where all the oldest vines located since 1904

•                 Echézeaux, 0.85 hectares, a small plot acquired in 2007.

•                 Richebourg, from 0.6 hectares with an average vine age of 70 years.

FARMING & WINEMAKING

Anne Gros cares for her vineyards sustainably, adhering to organic practices as much as possible depending on the conditions of the growing year. Grapes are always harvested by hand. Juice is fermented on indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks for both white and red wines. 

In the vineyard, countless hours are spent on the vines to ensure a singular expression of each plot of land is brought forth. The domaine focuses on acquiring an intimate knowledge of the land. By managing the vineyards according to the principles of lutte raisonnée, she has the ability to adapt and respond to seasonal variation and the ever-changing demands of the vineyard.

In the winery red wine is fermented in ceramic lined cement tanks, white wines in steel. 30% new barrels are used for generic wines, 50% for village wines and 80% for the Grand Cru.

THE GROS FAMILY

The Gros dynasty began in 1830 when Alphonse Gros married Madame Latour and settled in Vosne-Romanée. The next two generations, Jules and Louis, continued to expand the business. Louis had 4 children: Jean, Francois, Gustave and Colette. Gustave and Colette kept their shares together as Domaine Gros Frere & Soeur which is run by Bernard Gros today, one of Jean’s sons.

Francois worked with Jean together at the beginning. It was he who encouraged mechanisation and new viticultural techniques such as high vine training, long before they became standard practice. Francois then built his own domaine which has passed to his own daughter, Anne Gros and labelled under Domaine Anne and Francois Gros that time.

When Jean retired in 1995, the estate was divided to his children, Michel and Bernard (who manages Domaine Gros Frère et Soeur) and their cousin Anne. In order to avoid too much fragmentation, different vineyards went to each child as much as possible – Clos des Reas has remained as monopole in Michel Gros, but he forewent his share of Richebourg.