History and Terroir

Located in the heart of Vosne-Romanée, Sylvain Cathiard farms 12.5 hectares of vines across some of the region’s most sought-after sites, including Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Aux Malconsorts, and beyond. The domaine was first created back in the 1930s, though it wasn’t until thirty years later, when Syvlain’s father André took the reins, that the winery began estate bottling (prior to André’s arrival, most of the family’s fruit was sold off to local négociants). By 1995, Sylvain had officially taken over at the estate, and about a decade later, his son Sébastien joined him. At Cathiard, every aspect of farming and winemaking truly remains all in the family.

Farming and Winemaking

Sébastien’s arrival to the domaine has brought new life to the family’s winemaking regimen. After working abroad in Chablis, New Zealand, and Pessac-Léognan, Sébastien adopted a “less is more” mentality towards new oak and significantly reduced the amount used at the Cathiard estate. This new aging regimen allows the wines to speak more of their place, as site-specific details are more transparently conveyed. Sébastien’s first official vintage was in 2011; ten years later, the wines are continuing to shine in a new and revived way. Sébastien believes that hard work in the vineyard leads to truly great wines in the bottle. Overall, Cathiard wines are known for their elegance, complexity, and terroir-driven focus. These bottles are ideal for drinking in their youth or laying down for the long haul.