Thiébault’s grandfather, Raoul Verdereau advanced development on the estate between 1928 and 1976. He split it between his two daughters, and Thiébault’s parents inherited three hectares. They didn’t make wine or live in Burgundy, so they rented it out until 1994.
In the meantime, Thiébault had studied the restaurant business and the craft of being a sommelier at the Hotel Catering School in Strasbourg. In 1990, he decided to work towards taking over the family estate, and began his three year training at the Wine School of Beaune with his cousin Jean-Marc Bouley. Thiébault was then ready to create the next chapter in the family winemaking legacy with Domaine Huber-Verdereau. He had his first vintage in 1994.
He began with the family’s 2.9 hectares, and now works 9.7 total hectares across 5 towns and 32 parcels (climats as they say in Burgundy). Half he owns, the other half he rents. In 2011, Thiébault started a small negociant business, which has allowed him to farm more appellations, such as Mercurey and Monthelie. Currently the Domaine bottles 16 whites, 12 reds and a Crémant from 16 different appellations in Burgundy.
The Place
Domaine Huber-Verdereau is based in Volnay and also owns parcels in Pommard and Mersault. The estate is in Cote d’Or, in the heart of Burgundy. Thiébault studied Burgundy as a sommelier and knew exactly what sorts of wines he wanted to make in Burgundy and knows the soils, exposures and characteristics of Burgundy down to the parcel.
Philosophies
Domaine Huber-Verdereau is based in Volnay and also owns parcels in Pommard and Mersault. The estate is in Cote d’Or, in the heart of Burgundy. Thiébault studied Burgundy as a sommelier and knew exactly what sorts of wines he wanted to make in Burgundy and knows the soils, exposures and characteristics of Burgundy down to the parcel.
Winemaking
Thiébault barely touches his wines, no pumping, no bâtonnage etc… He believes in working hard in the vineyard and allowing the fruit to express itself in the cellar. He prefers infusions to extractions.
New barrels are sometimes required for the appellation’s style in Burgundy, but Thiébault generally avoids using them, opting for older wood. For Pommard there is 30% new oak from Allier (France). Volnay gets 20%, in order to emphasize freshness and elegance. The aging is relatively short, 8 to 10 months for Bourgognes and 12 to 14 months for crus. The wines are filtered only if the vintage requires it.