The founder of Domaine Dujac, Jacques Seysses, started his working life in the biscuit firm Belin, run by his father Louis, before a period in banking. Exposed to the culture of gastronomy from childhood by his father, in 1966 Seysses left to try his hand at wine, initially as a stage in Volnay under the tutelage of Gérard Potèl. Potèl (father of Nicolas Potèl) managed Domaine de la Pousse d’Or in which Louis Seysses owned shares. After two vintages in Volnay Jacques was hooked; he acquired the somewhat neglected estate of Marcel Graillet in Morey-St-Denis, comprising 4.5 hectares in the Côte de Nuits. Two years of toil later he was ready to launch the first bottles under the Domaine Dujac label, from the propitious 1969 vintage. The renamed estate title ‘Dujac’ is thought to have been punned from Seysses’ first name.
Jacques met his future wife Rosalind when the American came to Morey-St-Denis for the 1971 vendange. She brought with her experience of the now burgeoning Californian wine scene and together they forged a powerful and creative team, learning to harness Burgundian tradition with New World innovation. Their sons Jeremy and Alec and Jeremy’s wife Diana (also American) today run the estate.
4.5 hectares grew in stages to the present 15.5 hectares of vines, comprising small parcels of seven grands crus in four communes. There is a total of eight plots of premiers crus including recent (white wine) additions in Puligny-Montrachet. The small size of some of these plots means that only one or two barrels – equating to 300-600 bottles - of some labels may be made each year.
Dujac’s reputation has grown steadily over its 50-plus years of existence. The wines are cherished for their texture, delicacy and balance, and for the top wines, an impressive ability to age gracefully. From the outset Seysses accepted that the soil was the primary determinant of quality, and that vine health should be at the forefront of vineyard work. To achieve this the domaine employs a large and stable team so that each member has sufficient time ‘to do things well’.
From early in its history Dujac has tilted towards an organic approach to viticulture and a low intervention stance in the cellar. Grapes are hand-harvested, bunches are rarely destemmed and fermentation is via ambient yeasts. Obtaining the right balance of firmness and suppleness of tannins is a preoccupation, dictating gentle extraction and light pressing. Wines spend 14-18 months in oak barrels that are seasoned at the domaine. Since entering the estate in 1999 the next generation has built on the knowledge and practice of the first. One variation is to use less new oak used than in earlier decades, nevertheless the standing of the domaine has never been higher.
The wines of Domaine Dujac
Grand Cru
Clos Saint-Denis, Morey-Saint-Denis – 1.29ha
Chambertin, Gevrey-Chambertin – 0.29ha
Charmes-Chambertin, Gevrey-Chambertin – 0.69ha
Clos de la Roche, Gevrey-Chambertin – 1.95ha
Bonnes Mares, Chambolle-Musigny – 0.58ha
Echezeaux, Vosne-Romanée – 0.68ha
Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Vosne-Romanée – 0.16ha
Premier Cru
Chambolle-Musigny Les Gruenchers
Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Combottes
Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru
Morey-Saint-Denis Monts Luisants (Blanc)
Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières (Blanc, from 2014)
Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes (Blanc, from 2014)
Vosne-Romanée Les Beaux Monts
Vosne-Romanée Aux Malconsorts
Villages etc
Chambolle Musigny
Morey-Saint-Denis
Morey-Saint-Denis (Blanc)
Bourgogne (Blanc)
Dujac Fils & Père (Dujac SA)
In 2000 Domaine Dujac created a separate négoçiant house, Dujac Fils & Père as a new business stream, still managed by the existing team. Buying fruit from vignerons in communes where the Domaine had its own vines Fils & Père leverages its existing knowledge and skill to make wines that can be broached earlier than those of the Domaine, and that carry a lower price tag. The team harvests bought grapes itself, thereby retaining control of the vintage process. Dujac Fils & Père maintains continuity of quality and style by working with the same growers over time where possible. The range does alter from year to year however the key labels are shown below.
The key wines of Dujac Fils & Père
Premier Cru
Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Damodes
Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Cras
Village
Morey-Saint-Denis
Chambolle-Musigny
Gevrey-Chambertin