About
Vignoble Dampt Frères
Vignoble Dampt Frères is a huge domaine, located in Collan, near Chablis, Burgundy. The 135 hectares of vineyards are farmed according to HVE certified sustainable approach by three brothers-vignerons: Éric Dampt, Hervé Dampt and Emmanuel Dampt.
The domaine is divided into different entities: Éric Dampt, Emmanuel Dampt, Hervé Dampt, Dampt Frères Earl, Earl Dampt - Dupas, and Earl Les Preuses.
The wines express the terroir at its best; they are accessible vintage, balanced, elegant but with character.
The top wine of the domaine is Chablis Premier Cru Mont de Milieu. The Chablis Premier Cru Mont de Milieu 2016 scored 91 by the Wine Advocate.
Tasting Chablis Premier Cru Mont de Milieu 2016 Robert Parker said: "The 2016 Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu has a detailed and complex bouquet, with subtle resinous/candle wax aromas sutured into the more common flint and granite scents. There is a lot going on here aromatically. The palate is very well balanced, with lemon rind and ginger on the entry, a fine thread of acidity and quite a dense, waxy-textured, spicy finish that lingers long in the mouth. This is a delicious and quite fascinating Mont de Milieu. This comes recommended."
History
Éric Dampt specializes in the mechanization and management of winemaking. Emmanuel Dampt is responsible for the maturing of wine, the wine press during the vintage period, bottling and commercialization. Hervé Dampt, the youngest brother, continues to develop organic farming. Jacky Poussière, Dampt's partner, manages the manual work in the vineyard.
Bernard Dampt followed the family winemaking business, as did his ancestors. He became a member of the Cave Coopérative Chablisienne in 1980 and had his first crop in 1981 in the Vignoble de Chablis.
Éric Dampt, Bernard Dampt's oldest son, became a Chablis winemaker in 1985, producing his first crop in 1988. Together they decided to restore the Vignoble Tonnerois and planted their first vines in Tonnerre in 1987.
In 1990, his son Emmanuel Dampt joined them in expanding the vineyard. He chose to commercialize the Bourgogne Tonnerre in bottles that until then had been commercialized at a wine cellar cooperative.
Although Bernard Dampt, Éric Dampt and Emmanuel Dampt had their own vineyards, they worked together. In 1991 they modernized the estate with new equipment.
Bernard Dampt retired in 1993 and left the business to his sons. Hervé Dampt joined his brothers in 1998 and took over his father's vineyard.
In 2003, the first association of the Dampt brothers, "Dampt Frères Earl", was created with their neighbour Jacky Poussière, another viticultural farmer.
Earl Dampt-Dupas was founded in 2005 with Madame Dupas.
Éric Dampt and Emmanuel Dampt decided to create one business in 2009, "Vignoble Dampt Frères", to simplify the administration and commerce.
Approach
Certified sustainable by HVE since 2019
Since July, 2019, all the vineyards of the Vignoble Dampt Frères have been certified HVE due to their sustainable approaches.
The harvest is done manually for the old vines over 35 years old, young vines under six years old, and some Premier Cru and Grand Cru plots. For the other plots, the winemaker uses the harvesting machine.
Since 2004 a stainless steel conquet, a harvest sorter, and a pneumatic press have been used. All thermo-regulated stainless steel vats ensure perfect mastery of vinification and wine ageing. Each vat has its own vinification path, a personalized follow-up. For some cuvées, a part is vinified in barrels; the wood brings more complexity and roundness.
Vignoble Dampt Frères also makes Kosher wines under the precise management of a rabbi from Paris. A part of kosher wines are exported to Israel.