Henri Jayer was a passionate and dedicated winemaker; he was born in 1922 and passed away in 2006. Today, he is an iconic figure in Burgundy, and his wines are considered among the best in the world. Henri Jayer's story began when he inherited 3 hectares of vineyards and offered his first vintage in 1945. He quickly implemented a winemaking method that respected nature and expanded his estate by purchasing parcels around his own.

Henri Jayer had his own philosophy of life and vineyard management. A practical man, he developed a technique that focused on nature rather than technology. For him, winemaking had to adapt to nature's whims, and the use of chemical products had to be minimized. In 1950, he decided to implement his own winemaking technique.

First, he prioritized quality over quantity: fewer grapes for more flavor, as he believed that "A great wine is made in the vineyard, not in the cellar." Then, the fruits were destemmed to preserve the purity of the fruit. Finally, Henri Jayer decided to control the fermentation temperature, allowing the fruit to retain its freshness and aromas.

Today, the Henri Jayer estate spans over 9 hectares and includes several types of vineyards. The estate has AOC classified communal lands ‘Nuit Saint Georges’ and ‘Vosne Romanée,’ as well as AOC Grand Cru classified vines in Echezeaux and Richebourg. In August 2015, two wines from the Henri Jayer estate ranked in the top 3 most expensive wines in the world. In first place was the Grand Cru Richebourg, and in third place was the Premier Cru Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux.

A mark of excellence, these wines achieve record prices at auction. In December 2014, we had the opportunity to auction a bottle of Henri Jayer Grand Cru Richebourg. Estimated at €3,000–€3,500, it sold for €7,680.

Contact our expert for valuations on Henri Jayer wines.