What Fromagerie Gaugry does

Fromagerie Gaugry is a French artisanal cheesemaker founded in 1946 at the Laiterie de la Côte in Brochon, Burgundy, specializing in soft-ripened cow's milk cheeses with washed (croûte lavée) and bloomy (croûte fleurie) rinds. Its product portfolio includes Époisses AOP, Soumaintrain IGP, Brillat-Savarin IGP, Chaource AOP, Ami du Chambertin, Petit Gaugry, Plaisir au Chablis BIO, Palet de Bourgogne, and Brochonnais BIO. The company is the last dairy in France to produce Époisses AOP with raw milk, and its technical process relies on slow lactic coagulation (≥8 hours), extended natural draining (≥20 hours), and manual affinage with 7-10 brine washings optionally enriched with Marc de Bourgogne or Chablis wine to develop the characteristic red-brick coloration from Brevibacterium linens without artificial colorants. In 2018, the Lincet family completed a 100% acquisition of Gaugry, integrating it into the Fromagerie Lincet group alongside the Lincet (Saligny) and Vaudes fromageries.

The company operates a multi-brand distribution architecture: the Lincet brand serves hypermarkets and supermarkets (including private label/MDD), the Gaugry brand targets wholesalers and export, and Laiterie de la Côte is distributed exclusively through specialty crémeries and traditional trade. Direct-to-consumer revenue is generated via three factory stores (Brochon, Saligny, and Formaticus cheese bar in Paris 17e), plus school visits (€6-€10/person) and tasting experiences currently suspended during construction. The group reported €50M revenue, collected 31.6 million liters of milk in 2024 from 50-60 local producers within an 80km radius (85% under AOP/IGP signs), and exports to quality stores and starred chefs worldwide. Marketing leverages organic social (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn), a published recipe library (11+ recipes with partner chefs), wine-pairing collaborations with Domaine Manuel Olivier, and an "Ambassadeur Gaugry" chef network.

The company is currently executing a €25M expansion and modernization of the Brochon site launched March 2025 and scheduled for completion in 2027, which will double the site surface area, add a new Brillat-Savarin IGP manufacturing workshop, and create an immersive visitor experience. Leadership transitioned formally in November 2023 with the 6th generation (Grégoire Lincet as DG and Mathilde Lincet-Bustarret in brand development) succeeding Didier Lincet. Recognition includes Concours Général Agricole medals (Gold 2018, Silver 2019), TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2016, and the PME+ sustainability label obtained in 2022.

Name

Fromagerie Gaugry

Legal name

FROMAGERIE LINCET

Website

https://gaugryfromager.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fromagerie Gaugry is a family-owned Burgundy cheesemaker (est. 1946) producing washed-rind and bloomy-rind soft cheeses including Époisses AOP, Soumaintrain IGP, and Brillat-Savarin IGP, distributed across French mass retail, specialty crémeries, wholesale, and global export under the Fromagerie Lincet group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisanal Cheese Manufacturing

NAICS

Cheese Manufacturing (311513)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020)

akta.pro primary industry

Ripened Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Semi-Soft, Hard & Blue) (AFAHABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cheese Packaging & Portioning (Retail Packs, Snack Packs, Singles) (AFAHABAI), Private Label & Contract Cheese Manufacturing (AFAHABAJ)

Keywords

• Artisan cheese manufacturing
• Washed-rind cheese production
• Burgundy soft cheese
• AOP dairy products
• Traditional cheesemaking

Headquarters

HQ city

Brochon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Cheese product sales: Sale of artisanal cheeses produced in-house (Époisses AOP, Soumaintrain IGP, Brillat-Savarin IGP, Ami du Chambertin, Chaource AOP, and specialty cheeses) through multiple distribution channels including retail stores, factory shop, wholesalers, and export markets.
2. Tourism and visitor experiences: Paid visits to the production site (guided and self-guided tours with tastings), school visits at 6–10€ per person, and cheese-tasting experiences. Currently suspended during expansion works but scheduled to reopen with an immersive visitor experience.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Fromagerie Gaugry manufactures and sells artisanal Burgundy soft cheeses with washed (croûte lavée) and bloomy (croûte fleurie) rinds, including protected-designation products such as Époisses AOP, Soumaintrain IGP, Brillat-Savarin IGP, and Chaource AOP. The company distributes its cheeses under three complementary brands (Gaugry, Laiterie de la Côte, Lincet) via supermarkets, wholesalers, specialty cheese shops, factory stores, a Paris cheese bar, and worldwide export to starred chefs. The company also runs paid factory visits and tasting experiences at its Brochon production site.

Product overview

Fromagerie Gaugry is a traditional Burgundy cheesemaker specializing in soft cheeses with washed and bloomy rinds, operating since 1946. The company produces a portfolio of cheeses including Époisses AOP, Soumaintrain IGP, Brillat-Savarin IGP, Ami du Chambertin, Petit Gaugry, Plaisir au Chablis BIO, Palet de Bourgogne, Chaource AOP, and Brochonnais BIO. Products are distributed under three complementary brands: GAUGRY (authentic character cheeses for wholesalers and export), LAITERIE DE LA CÔTE (premium offerings for crémiers and professionals), and LINCET (Burgundy and Champagne classics for mass market). The company also operates factory stores and tourist experiences including guided visits and tastings. In 2025, a 25 million euro expansion project began at the Brochon site to increase production capacity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gaugry: Authentic Burgundy washed-rind cheese brand specializing in soft cheeses with PDO and PGI designations including Époisses AOP and Soumaintrain IGP, along with signature creations like Ami du Chambertin and Petit Gaugry. Distributed mainly through wholesalers, then for export and in mass retail.
• Laiterie de la Côte
• Lincet

Products and services

• Époisses AOP Traditional Burgundy soft cheese with a washed rind, AOP certified since 1991, made from whole cow's milk with an orange to brick-red crust developed by Brevibacterium linens. Gaugry is the last dairy in France to produce Époisses with raw (unpasteurized) milk, preserving the cheese's full aromatic character. Aimed at cheese connoisseurs, foodservice chefs, and specialty retail consumers.
• Soumaintrain IGP Artisanal Burgundy washed-rind cheese made from cow's milk with IGP certification since July 2016. Washed only with brine, giving it a white-to-orange crust, with a moist, supple texture and pronounced yet gentle taste typical of the region. Sold via hypermarkets (Lincet brand and MDD) and specialty channels.
• Brillat-Savarin affiné IGP Soft bloomy-rind cheese made from cream-enriched cow's milk, IGP certified, also known as the 'foie gras of cheeses' due to its rich, creamy texture. Named in 1930 in homage to the gastronome Brillat-Savarin. A new dedicated production workshop will be built as part of the 2025–2027 Brochon expansion.
• Ami du Chambertin Soft washed-rind cheese created in 1950 by Raymond Gaugry, named after the wine region near Gevrey-Chambertin. Features strong aromas, a fine wrinkled crust, and a powerful yet creamy taste profile. Distributed under the Gaugry brand through wholesalers and export.
• Petit Gaugry Small-format (70 g) cheese made using the same processes as Burgundy washed-rind cheeses, aged and washed with Marc de Bourgogne for about three weeks. Designed for intimate dining or single-serving snacks.
• Plaisir au Chablis BIO Organic soft cheese made from organically farmed cow's milk and aged with organic Chablis white wine. Small 200 g cylindrical format with delicate, refined taste and subtle notes, yellow-orange color. Targets organic and premium consumers.
• Palet de Bourgogne Soft washed-rind cheese created for individual or couples dining; 125 g smaller format with a brilliant wrinkled crust, aged with Marc de Bourgogne, with a creamy consistency. Distributed under the Gaugry brand.
• Chaource AOP Soft bloomy-rind cheese originating from Burgundy and Champagne Ardenne, AOP certified since 1996. Slightly salty taste with creamy paste and firm supple crust, with notes of mushroom, cream, and hazelnut. Distributed under the Laiterie de la Côte and Lincet brands.
• Brochonnais BIO Organic soft bloomy-rind cheese made from locally sourced organic cow's milk in Burgundy, with lactic aroma, frank fruity taste, and melting texture. Available in 70 g format. Targeted at organic and regional consumers.
• Factory Visits and Tasting Experiences Paid in-person visitor experiences at the Brochon production site, including self-guided tours through the production gallery, guided tours, group visits, and school visits with cheese tasting (school visits priced at €6 per person for a standard cheese platter with bread and water, or €10 per person including a 10 cl glass of wine or juice, 15-person minimum). Currently suspended during the 2025–2027 expansion, with an immersive new visitor center scheduled to reopen in 2027.

Quantifiable outcome

• 31.6 million liters of milk collected in 2024 from 50–60 local dairy producers within 80km of three fromageries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fromagerie de l'Abbaye de Cîteaux: Monastic fromagerie producing AOP-branded cheeses (notably Abbaye de Cîteaux) and other Burgundy soft cheeses. Comparable AOP/heritage positioning and similar direct-to-consumer/visitor experience model.
• Rodolphe Le Meunier: Master affineur and cheesemaker specializing in aged and washed-rind cheeses for premium retail and starred restaurants. Comparable in artisanal affinage techniques and high-end France/international channel mix.
• Hervé Mons (Maison Mons): Renowned French affineur producing aged raw-milk cheeses for top chefs and specialty retailers globally. Comparable on aged washed-rind craftsmanship, premium international positioning, and chef-driven demand.
• Fromagerie Lincet (parent brand): Parent company of Fromagerie Gaugry since 2018, producing Chaource AOP, Brillat-Savarin IGP, and Délice de Bourgogne. Operates the Saligny and Vaudes sites and shares distribution channels, milk sourcing, and the Lincet brand with Gaugry.
• Fromagerie Delin: Burgundy-based producer of washed-rind soft cheeses including Époisses AOP, with parallel reliance on regional milk supply and GMS/specialty retail channels. Closest peer in terms of product mix and geography.
• Fromagerie Marie (Fromagerie du Petit Gevinois): Family-run Burgundy fromagerie producing Chaource AOP and other soft cheeses with similar multi-generational craft model and regional distribution.
• Fromagerie Berthaut: Long-established Époisses AOP producer based in the same Burgundy region. Direct competitor on the flagship Époisses AOP product, with overlapping GMS, export, and specialty cheese shop distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Lactalis Group: World's largest dairy group with a French cheese portfolio that includes competing soft-ripened and washed-rind formats. Competes most heavily in GMS private-label and branded categories where Gaugry's Lincet is sold.
• Savencia Fromage & Dairy: Large French dairy group controlling multiple specialty cheese brands across GMS and foodservice. Competes with Gaugry's Lincet brand in mainstream retail through scale, private-label, and trade marketing.

Emerging players

• Émile et Marie (Fromagerie de Brouennes): Premium raw-milk washed-rind cheesemaker focused on farmstead production. Comparable raw-milk heritage positioning and B2B specialty/fine-food distribution, though smaller and less diversified.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@fromageriegaugry9076
• Facebookfacebook.com/GaugryFromagerie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fromagerie-gaugry
• Instagraminstagram.com/fromageriegaugry

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fromagerie Gaugry