Emmanuel Giboulot is a renowned biodynamic winemaker based in Beaune, Burgundy, France, celebrated for his commitment to organic and biodynamic viticulture and his high-quality, terroir-driven wines. Born into a family already practicing organic farming, Giboulot represents the second generation of eco-conscious agriculture, with his father, Paul Giboulot, initiating organic practices in the 1970s after recognizing the harmful effects of chemicals on health and the environment. Emmanuel took over in 1985, starting with just 0.8 hectares and expanding to about 14 hectares today, spread across appellations like Côte de Beaune, Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, Saint-Romain, and Rully.

A pioneer of biodynamics in Burgundy since 1996, Giboulot’s approach emphasizes healthy soils, biodiversity, and minimal intervention. His vineyards, certified biodynamic, are plowed manually, treated with organic composts, and managed without synthetic pesticides or herbicides. In the cellar, he uses native yeasts, avoids new oak to preserve purity, and limits sulfur dioxide to minimal levels, often only at bottling. His wines—primarily Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with some Gamay and Pinot Beurot (Pinot Gris)—are known for their precision, minerality, and balance. Notable cuvées include La Grande Châtelaine, Les Pierres Blanches, Combe d’Eve (Côte de Beaune), En Chevrot (Saint-Romain), and Terres Burgondes (IGP). His Chardonnays often evoke Chablis-like vibrancy, while his Pinot Noirs are elegant with fine tannins and red fruit notes.

Giboulot gained international attention in 2013–2014 for refusing a mandatory pesticide treatment against flavescence dorée, a vine disease spread by cicadelles. He argued that his biodynamic vines had natural resistance and that the chemical treatment would harm his ecosystem, sparking a legal battle. Initially fined €1,000 (half suspended) in April 2014, he was acquitted on appeal in December 2014, supported by a wave of public and ecological advocacy. This “Affaire Giboulot” made him an unintentional figurehead for the anti-pesticide movement, though he prefers to let his wines speak for themselves.

His estate produces around 13 cuvées, reflecting the diversity of Burgundy’s terroirs, from the obscure Côte de Beaune appellation (33 hectares, not to be confused with Côte de Beaune-Villages) to premier cru Rully La Pucelle. Giboulot’s philosophy, rooted in respecting nature and vintage variation, aligns with his membership in the Renaissance des Appellations/Return to Terroir network. Despite his initial ambition to become an actor, he has become a trailblazer in Burgundy, where organic vineyards now account for about 8% of the region. His wines, described as pure, authentic, and gastronomic, are highly sought after globally