The achievements of Olivier Leflaive Freres since its founding in 1983 are quite remarkable. World-wide acclaim and such tremendous publicity are normally only accomplished after generations of wine making.

Olivier Leflaive is a partner in the famous Domaine Leflaive of Puligny Montrachet. With a wealth of experience gained at the Domaine, Olivier decided to form his own negociant company, which includes amongst its shareholders many members of the Leflaive family. His tremendous knowledge of the area, the wines and the leading producers meant that Olivier was confident he could obtain wines of outstanding quality. The first vintages were produced and stored in the cellars at Olivier's house in Puligny Montrachet. He turned his garage into an office and business commenced.

The first year's production was sold mainly to Domaine Leflaive's importer in America. Since then, a great deal of hard work has gone into building a network of leading wine merchants around the world to handle these great wines. We are delighted and honoured to be amongst them in importing such fine red and white Burgundies.

In the beginning, due to the location of the Company, great emphasis was put on the production of the white wines of the Cote de Beaune, particularly Puligny Montrachet, Meursault and Corton Charlemagne. Today, production extends to the white wines of the Cote Chalonnaise. Olivier is justly proud of the tremendous young team he has built up around him. Frank Grux is the immensely talented winemaker. Frank came from Domaine Guy Roulot in Meursault where he gained a phenomenal reputation.

Unlike many negociants, Olivier Leflaive Freres supervise every step of the production of their white wines. After the grapes are pressed at the respective Domaines the juice is immediately transferred to Puligny Montrachet where Frank spends day and night overseeing the fermentation. Vinification and ageing of the white wines now takes place in a new, purpose-built, air-conditioned `Chai' on the edge of the village. A proportion of new oak is used each year but the philosophy is to allow the individuality of each appellation to show through in the finished wine. Heavily wooded wines may be fashionable in some countries but for us a gentle flavour of oak in the background is quite sufficient.

Never overlook their red wines, either, as equally superb examples are now being produced. After fermentation in Olivier Leflaive�s own barrels at the respective Domaines, these wines are transferred to his underground cellars for ageing. As with the white wines, new oak is used only to compliment the delicate flavour of the Pinot Noir grape