The Chateau and its History
In the heart of the Burgundy region…
Atop the sloping vineyard in the village of Santenay stands the Chateau de Santenay, majestic stately residence of the IXth, XIIth and XVIth centuries.
It once belonged to Philip-the-Bold (Philippe-le-Hardi), son of French King John-the-Good (Jean-le-Bon) and first Duke of Burgundy (Premier Valois, Duc de la Grande Bourgogne) (1342-1404) and is why it is widely known as the Chateau Philippe-le-Hardi.
Under his reign, Burgundy acquired power and glory thanks to his wisdom and highly developed sense of diplomacy. His marriage to Marguerite of Flanders allowed Burgundy to expand to the north to what is present-day Belgium and Holland, bringing wealth through the latter's great commercial maritime activity.
Additionally, his actions proved decisive for Burgundian viticulture through the 1395 edict that imposed Pinot Noir as the only grape variety recognized for its qualities to produce the red wines of Burgundy. This was the birth of single-variety wines.
This choice undoubtedly was reinforced by the monks of the Abbey of Cîteaux who had been using this single-variety method since the XIth century to develop Burgundian viticulture and to whom we owe the mythical Clos de Vougeot, near the Citeaux abbey, but who on a larger scale, molded and revealed the territory (terroir) that makes up the reputation of Burgundy.
The Estate
Over the years, the Chateau de Santenay has been working on diversifying its wines using the noble Burgundian grape varieties,
Pinot Noir for its red wines and Chardonnay for its whites.
The estate covers about 97 hectares (over 239 acres) and is considered one of the best in the Greater Burgundy area.
The ownership of a number of appelations means the estate is able to supply a wide variety of different products under different appelations.
Mercurey and Mercurey 1er Cru
Saint-Aubin 
Hautes Côtes de Beaune « Clos de la Chaise Dieu » / « Clos Philippe le Hardi » Monopole
Aloxe-Corton « Les Brunettes and Planchots »
Beaune 1er Cru « Clos du Roi », « Les Montées Rouges »
Santenay 1er Cru « La Comme », « Les Gravières », « Les Beaurepaires »
Pommard « Petit Clos »
Clos de Vougeot « Grand Cru »
In spite of the size of the estate, it remains a human-sized establishment with a production potential of 600,000 bottles (50,000 cases.)
.
The sole shareholder of the Chateau de Santenay – Grands Crus Investissements - is a branch of the Credit Agricole bank and allows high qualitative strategies thanks to the resources available at the estate's disposal. The bank's experience in the wine industry is marked by its various activities within this field.
Our Red Wines
- MERCUREY and MERCUREY 1er Cru "Les Puillets": 63.2 ha (156 acres).
- HAUTES COTES DE BEAUNE
"Clos de la Chaise Dieu" and "Clos Philippe le Hardi" Monopole: 0.8 ha (2 acres). - SANTENAY 1er Cru "La Comme" and "Les Gravières" 0.7 ha 51.75 acres).
- BEAUNE 1er Cru "Clos du Roi" and "Les Montées Rouges" 1.8 ha (4.5 acres).
- ALOXE CORTON "Les Brunettes et Planchots": 2.2 ha (5.5 acres).
- POMMARD "Petit Clos": 0.3 ha (0.75 acre).
- CLOS DE VOUGEOT Grand Cru: 0.2 ha (0.5 acre).
Our White Wines
Our Philosophy
The Château de Santenay has deliberately chosen quality as its primary concern. The first step begins in the vineyard, using responsible farming methods. Responsible farming is the agriculture of tomorrow. Far from being simply a change in behavior, it is first and foremost an in-depth strategy. Protection and respect for the environment and its biodiversity, traceability and sustainable management for the protection of plants are its principal points.
The estate was granted a responsible farming qualification from the Ministry of Agriculture and is certified by the "Qualité France" (French Quality) organization.
At the same time, particular care has been given to the restoration of the vineyard. The work undertaken is vast and follows a precise plan to renew the oldest and least qualitative parcels of land to a carefully developed one with the planting of selected, more qualitative vines.
This constant search for quality is applied throughout the chain of production:
The vineyard: the domain applies a rigorous policy of yield control to enable the maturity necessary for Burgundian grape varieties Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The winery: The use of top high-tech equipment and the latest oenological techniques are applied in the name of traditional Burgundy culture throughout the process. The total capacity of the vats is close to 13,000 hl of which 3,000 hl are wooden casks. The equipment includes pneumatic presses, hydraulic cap-punching robots, temperature-controlled fermentors and micro-oxygenation elements.
The cellars: 60% of the wine is matured in oak casks and barrels while the rest takes place in stainless steel vats that guarantee perfect hygienic conditions for storage in the temperature-controlled cellars.
Gerard Fagnoni, engineer-oenologist and general manager heads up a team of about 30 people who share their devotion and passion for our inimitable Burgundy wines with you.