History of Olivier Laflaive
In 1984, Olivier Laflaive, along with his brother Patrick and his Uncle Vincent set out to create a new label from the world renowned grapes of Burgundy. With their knowledge of grapes and the wine making process, they created their own Domain on the Gold Coast of France. This prime location gives Olivier Laflaive access to the top wine-grape producers in the world. While primarily focused on white wines, Laflaive also offers a selection of reds.
The grapes
Great wines require great grapes. Olivier Laflaive has cultivated relationships with the best vineyards in France. Grapes are purchased either as fruit on the vine or in the form of "must" or crushed grapes. From there, vintner Frank Grux has the responsibility to produce the quality wines for which Olivier Laflaive is known. Grux blends grapes from different vineyards of the quality to produce a cuvee. This blending of grapes produces a wine with balanced flavors and aromas.
The harvest
September is harvest time for French vineyards. Laflaive purchases only grapes that have been handpicked from the vines. Handpicking preserves the grapes and does minimal damage to the vines themselves. Picking grapes is a family affair with aunts and cousins, grandparents and grandchildren involved. The harvest lasts from 8 to 10 days and is a celebration of the wine making way of life.
The vinificaton
Once picked, grapes must then be turned into the wine that Olivier LaFlaive feels reflects the wine heritage of Burgundy. The grapes are pressed and the juice placed in stainless steel vats to allow for ease of decanting into the oak barrels which help flavor the wine. The wine is then aged in oak for 12 to 18 months. During this time, several blendings, or "cuvees" are done, with the final cuvee done about a month before bottling. This process gives the wines a balanced flavor than can not be achieved with unblended wines.
Bottling
Once vintner Frank Grux and Olivier Laflaive decide the wines are complete, each barrel is decanted into bottles. Modern conveyor belts carry the bottles from filling, corking and on through the final labeling. From there, they are ready to be sold on to your table.
Wine making is a passion as well as a business for Olivier Laflaive. He believes in good vinticulture, without use of pesticides and chemicals and handpicking of grapes to insure the finest fruit with which to begin his wines. Together with Frank Grux, his knowledge of wine making takes his wine into the realm of great wines.