A F Gros
It is complicated: Anne Françoise, Michel Gros’ sister, married François Parent of Pommard. François, until this year used to make all the wines for domaine Parent and their associated négociant business, having taken over from his father, who was by no means a dab hand. François has now fallen out with his sisters, who are shareholders with him of the Domaine Parent, over lack of development, investment and interference in the running of the company, seriously compromising his quality goals. Consequently, he now makes only his wife’s wine, the vineyards that she inherited from her father Jean Gros, in new cellars in Beaune. Additionally, he has purchased some impressive vines in Savigny lès Beaune and the rights to the name Château des Guettes, which will be the company that he uses for acquiring other vineyards and rental arrangements as and when he can find land.
François is an innovative wine maker, never afraid to push the boundaries if there is an advantage to be gained. And it shows in the wines too. They are now in their new cellars in Beaune, just near Place de la Madeleine.