PIERRE GIRARDIN
-THE RISING STAR-
Words by The Cru
Being born into 13 generations of Burgundy winemakers might seem like destiny enough for Pierre Girardin, yet it is his own vision and artistry that have made him a true force in Burgundy. Learning in the cellars and fields beside his celebrated father, Vincent, gave Pierre a masterful foundation, but it is his own hand that has elevated him to a prized status in the region. And while he began with 4.5 hectares of his father's best vines, it was not inheritance alone that set him on this extraordinary path.
Vincent’s decision to sell the family estate, retaining only the choicest plots for Pierre, was more than a business move—it was a father’s gift to a son with immense promise. This careful selection granted Pierre not only his own start but also an inheritance of Burgundy’s finest terroir, handed down from the ashes of a family legacy, not as an end, but as the fuel for his future. At just 21, Pierre released his first vintage in 2017, a debut that turned heads and heralded the arrival of a formidable new voice in Burgundy winemaking.
With his origins rooted firmly in those 4.5 hectares and his father’s tutelage, Pierre has since expanded his reach across the Côte de Beaune, cultivating some of the most celebrated sites: Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Corton Charlemagne, Pommard, Vosne-Romanée, and more. Each vineyard represents an exquisite canvas, and Pierre, an artist in the truest sense, lets the land speak through his wine.
His commitment to organic practices, with a vision to fully convert to organic farming, and his exploration of biodynamics, including the lunar calendar’s guidance, show his deep respect for nature. He has begun to trellis rather than prune, favoring a method that encourages sun exposure without intruding on the vines’ natural rhythm. Pierre’s philosophy is simple: allow the wine to express itself with as little intervention as possible.
At Girardin’s estate in Meursault, where all of his wines come to life, Pierre employs a meticulous, gentle approach: pressing softly, refraining from topping off, bâtonnage, or pigeage, and eschewing any fining or filtering. Each wine ages in traditional Burgundy vessels, with whites in used 456-liter oak barrels and reds in used barrels, all carefully chosen to allow the purest expression of fruit and terroir.
Pierre’s wines seem molded from the very soil of Burgundy, as if his feet were as rooted in the clay as the vines themselves. His light touch reveals the true character of each plot, letting the terroir and grape varieties shine without interference. This approach doesn’t mask or distort; rather, it unveils. Each bottle tells the story of the land itself, of vines that have weathered countless seasons, tended by a family who knows that Burgundy’s magic lies in the union of soil and fruit.
These wines are treasures for the cellar, with a character that grows deeper and more expressive over time. Yet, their beauty is immediate, offering an enchanting experience even in youth. Uncork one of Pierre’s chardonnays or pinot noirs to elevate your table. Pair these wines with truffles, pungent cheeses, and rich dishes like roast fowl or creamy potatoes, and savor not only their flavors but also the legacy, tradition, and reverence poured into every glass.
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