Toast

The story of Boisset Collection begins in 1961 with a couple in the heart of Burgundy, France, embarking on careers in the wine trade.

Jean-Claude and Claudine Boisset acquired their first wines from neighbors, and then sold them to family friends. In 1964, they purchased Les Evocelles in Gevrey-Chambertin, their first vineyard plot, now one of many in the family domain. Within a generation, the company would grow to be the leading wine producer in Burgundy, with a collection of wineries spanning two continents and a presence in 80 countries.

Transcending traditional boundaries, Boisset Family Estates embraces audacity and innovation, uniting Old World and New into one, offering an unparalleled exploration of terroir, heritage, vineyards and style.

Today, the family collection includes wineries that share more than 20 centuries of combined winemaking heritage and tradition in some of the world’s most prestigious terroirs, from Burgundy to the South of France, to California’s Napa Valley and Russian River Valley. Cistercian monks planted the vineyards of Le Clos Vougeot in 1110, inspiring Domaine de la Vougeraie to this day. Bouchard Aîné & Fils has built its family reputation in Beaune since 1750. Buena Vista Winery is California’s first premium winery, founded in Sonoma in 1857. These are just a few examples of the remarkable history living within the Boisset Collection.

Jean-Charles Boisset now carries his parents’ vision into the future. His lifelong passion for wine began as a child, as he grew up above the cellars and within view of the centuries-old vineyards of Château du Clos de Vougeot, the epicenter and birthplace of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. After working for eight years to develop Boisset’s U.S. business, Jean-Charles returned to France in 1999, where he and his sister Nathalie developed and implemented the company’s evolving philosophy – from négociant-éleveur to viniculteur.

“We make wine. This is our life, not a business, but the art of life.” – Jean-Charles, President, Boisset Family Estates

Today, the Boisset Collection unites the old and new worlds of wine with its Franco-American spirit and wineries on two continents. The modern collection comprises 10 estates in California, 13 in France, and one each in Italy and Canada. However, Jean-Charles has expanded from the world of wine and spirits to include a lifestyle vision; he has created namesake collections for jewelry, perfume and the JCB Passion Collection by Baccarat — the first glassware line the historic French crystal company has ever done with a vintner. In addition, the JCB offerings include home accessories that exemplify the JCB world of hospitality and entertaining.

“We make wine. This is our life, not a business, but the art of life. Wine is the essence of who we are; we are gorgeous glasses and beautiful decanters. Wine is a lifestyle, and we want to share that passion with our customers,” said Jean-Charles Boisset, President of Boisset Family Estates.

Boisset’s name carries weight in the world of wine. He has amassed numerous accolades, landing on Decanter Magazine’s “Power List” of the fifty most important people in the wine world each year of its publication since 2007, as well as receiving the Meininger’s International Wine Entrepreneur of the Year and “Innovator of the Year” honors from Wine Enthusiast Magazine, both in 2008.