As the nephew of Lalou Bize-Leroy and co-director of the legendary Domaine de la Romanee Conti, Henry-Frederic Roch’s passion for Burgundy’s terroir and his vision for producing wines that profoundly express their origins have elevated Domaine Prieure Roch to its prestigious status today.
Born in 1962, Henry-Frederic Roch leveraged his experience at Romanee-Conti when he founded Domaine Prieure Roch in 1988. This venture was partly influenced by strategic decisions at DRC, particularly during the 1980s when DRC opted to consolidate its holdings and focus on its most prestigious vineyards. In this process, DRC divested some less central plots. Roch acquired several of these, including parcels in Nuits Saint Georges and Ladoix Serrigny, which helped form the foundation of Domaine Prieure Roch.
The early acquisitions also included vineyards from Vosne Romanee, featuring vines in the climats of Haut Maizieres and Les Clous, along with the monopole of Clos Goillotte (a 0.55 ha vineyard historically linked to the Prince of Conti). A few years later, Roch expanded the Domaine's reach by acquiring parcels in Clos de Vougeot, Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Suchots and Chambertin Clos de Beze via en fermage. Today, the Domaine spans twenty hectares, including two more prestigious clos monopoles: Clos des Corvees (5 ha in Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru) and Clos des Varoilles (6 ha in Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru).
The logo of Domaine Prieure Roch is both distinctive and symbolic, reflecting the philosophy and heritage of the Domaine. Under the leadership of Yannick Champ and his team, and inspired by the spirit instilled by Henry-Frederic Roch since its inception, the estate does not use any synthetic product in the vineyard or in winemaking. It is dedicated to expressing the purest form of terroir through biodynamic practices and meticulous craftsmanship.
Domaine Prieure Roch's wines greet the palate with a robust and powerful presence. The dense and concentrated nature of these wines translates into a rich, velvety mouthfeel, often punctuated by firm, well-integrated tannins that promise excellent ageing potential. The palate experience mirrors the complexity found in the nose, with layers of dark fruit flavors blending seamlessly with earthy and spicy elements.