Georges Descombes

Georges Descombes, the son of a Beaujolais vigneron, discovered his inspiration for his eponymous label through the legendary wines of local icon Marcel Lapierre. While working on the bottling line for various local producers, Georges was captivated by the purity and finesse of Lapierre's wines, which embodied a natural approach that has influenced many in the region.

In 1988, Georges assumed the reins from his father and now manages 15 hectares of vineyards in Brouilly, Régnié, Morgon, Beaujolais Villages, Beaujolais, and Chiroubles. His winery, situated in the hamlet of Vermont, northeast of Villié-Morgon, serves as the hub for his endeavours. Drawing inspiration from Marcel Lapierre and other vanguards, Georges firmly aligns his wines with the "natural" movement, holding organic certification—a distinctive feature among Beaujolais' natural producers.

Deviating from conventional practices, Georges employs a hands-off approach in the cellar. Grapes, hand-harvested in whole clusters, undergo a slow pressing in an antique vertical press with precise pressure control. The fermentation process relies on natural yeasts, featuring a long, low-temperature semi-carbonic maceration. Minimal or zero sulfur is used before bottling.

Recognized as the unofficial fifth member of the renowned "Gang of Four," the elite Beaujolais revolutionaries, Georges Descombes has elevated his father's traditional farming practices to new heights. Both his inherited and acquired vineyards showcase his commitment to organic viticulture. The Descombes wines, celebrated for their exceptional quality, stand among the finest and most consistent expressions of Beaujolais. The masterful winemaking, rooted in excellent farming practices, unveils beautifully complex aromas, delivering a palate of gorgeous fruit unaffected by excess sulfur dioxide—resulting in wines that are impeccably balanced, clean, and enduringly long.

"Georges Descombes is one of the stalwarts of Beaujolais. Inspired by the late Marcel Lapierre in the early 1980s when he worked for his father’s bottling company, he is one of the more well-known of the natural producers since taking over the domaine in the hamlet of Vermont from his father in 1988, with all but a half a hectare to his name. Some refer to him as the unofficial fifth member of the “Gang of Four.” Nowadays, he farms about 16 hectares in Brouilly, Régnié, Morgon, Beaujolais Villages, Beaujolais and Chiroubles, the vineyard husbandry organic (certified Ecocert) and using just copper and sulfur.”
— Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate, Issue 213, 6/26/14