The Dufouleur Family is deep rooted in Nuits Saint Georges in the center of Burgundy’s renowned vineyard, since Gilles Dufouleur, born in 1596.
Further to the French Revolution in 1789, all properties owned by the Catholic church were seized and sold.
It is during one of the auction sales organized to sell the Clos de Vougeot that the Dufouleur family acquired a plot of land in the most iconic Grand Cru of Burgundy.
In 1804, Dufouleur Père & Fils became one of the Imperial court’s wine supplier.
The introduction of Dufouleur Père & Fils wines to the Emperor was facilitated thanks to a cousin who happened to be one of Napoléon very close collaborator, Colonel Commandant Supérieur du Génie aux Armées Impériales Anne Emmanuel Charles Blanc-Dufouleur.
The legend also says that the Emperor fell in love with the wife of one of his General (Artillery General Gassensi) who happened to have a house in Nuits-Saint-Georges When visiting Madame Gassensi, Napoléon was said to be drinking only Dufouleur Père & Fils’ Clos Vougeot grand cru...
In memory to this glorious past, Dufouleur Père & Fils decided back in 1919 to have the name « Cuvée Napoléon 1er » branded, till today Dufouleur Père & Fils is the only wine company in the world to be able to use this name.
Today Dufouleur Père & Fils continues the legacy of the founder of the house in producing high quality Burgundy wines which are enjoyed in France and many countries in the world