Gevrey-Chambertin is the northernmost of the great communes of the Côte de Nuits; it covers 1,316 acres and produces an average 16,411 hectolitres (182,351 cases) of wine annually, all of which is red. There are 26 premiers’ crus in Gevrey occupying a total of 211 acres, and eight grands crus lying on a contiguous strip of 215 acres. The remaining 889 acres, 125 of which lie in the adjoining commune of Brochon, produce the village wines of Gevrey-Chambertin.

The village of Gevrey is very old; in 630 it still bore the Latin name "Gibriacus," a derivative of "grabos." The meaning of this word is unclear, but seems to be related to "beard", either a bearded man or animal, i.e., a goat. "Chambertin", from "Campus Bertini", later "Champ de Bertin", or "Bertin's field", immortalizes the peasant who first planted this greatest vineyard of the commune. In 1847, the commune of Gevrey became Gevrey- Chambertin by decree of King Louis-Philippe.

If the Abbey of Bèze is more often cited for its famous Clos-de-Bèze vineyard, planted in the mid 600s, the Abbey of Cluny was more influential. It began its acquisition of land in 895 with vineyards originally given to the Abbey of Sainte-Bénigne by Duke Richard le Justicier; and greatly expanded its holdings through a major purchase from Duke Robert II in 1275, eventually becoming the largest proprietor, before or since, in Gevrey. Yves de Poissey, one of its abbots, was responsible in 1257 for the transformation of a small château into a massive fortress to shelter Gevrey's population from the countless ravages the village suffered through the end of the 1500s. Part of this fortress still stands today.

The village wines of Gevrey-Chambertin are produced from vineyards lying on the extension of the slope on which the grands and premiers crus are situated. These vineyards vary considerably in quality, and the name of the producer is thus more important here than elsewhere.