Emmanuel Giboulot – Beaune, Burgundy

Emmanuel Giboulot is a pioneering biodynamic winemaker based in Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy. A second-generation advocate of eco-conscious farming, he has become one of France’s most respected voices in sustainable viticulture, celebrated for producing terroir-driven wines of elegance, purity, and depth.

Raised in a family that embraced organic agriculture in the 1970s—led by his father Paul Giboulot—Emmanuel took over the domaine in 1985, beginning with just 0.8 hectares. Today, his certified biodynamic estate spans 14 hectaresacross prestigious appellations such as Côte de Beaune, Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, Saint-Romain, and Rully.

Giboulot has practiced biodynamic viticulture since 1996, managing his vineyards without synthetic chemicals, using manual plowing, natural composts, and plant-based treatments. In the cellar, his minimalist approach includes native yeasts, low to zero sulfur additions (typically only at bottling), and a preference for neutral oak, ensuring clarity and expression of place.

His wines—crafted from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Pinot Beurot (Pinot Gris)—are known for their energy, balance, and mineral finesse. Notable cuvées include:

• La Grande Châtelaine and Les Pierres Blanches (Côte de Beaune)

• Combe d’Eve (a crystalline white from limestone soils)

• En Chevrot (Saint-Romain)

• Terres Burgondes (a blend under the IGP label)

Giboulot’s Chardonnays often echo the tension and vibrancy of Chablis, while his Pinot Noirs are admired for their lifted red fruit, floral notes, and fine-grained tannins.

He rose to international prominence in 2013–2014 during the so-called “Affaire Giboulot”, when he refused a government-mandated pesticide spray against flavescence dorée, arguing it would damage the ecosystem of his healthy vineyards. Initially fined, he was later acquitted, becoming a symbol of resistance for organic and biodynamic growers across Europe.

Despite his early interest in theater, Giboulot has become a quiet trailblazer in Burgundy, where organic viticulture remains a minority. A member of the Renaissance des Appellations (Return to Terroir), his philosophy remains rooted in respect for nature, patience in the cellar, and a deep belief in vintage expression.

Today, his 13 cuvées showcase the diversity and soul of Burgundy through wines that are pure, age-worthy, and gastronomic—sought after by sommeliers and collectors around the world.