Domaine Lucien Muzard & Fils

Family history in Santenay dates to 1645, representing nine generations of viticulture in the region. The current estate, Domaine Lucien Muzard & Fils, was established in 1960 by Lucien Muzard and his wife Paule, who began acquiring land and planting new vines across the commune. Their sons, Claude and Hervé Muzard, joined the family business in 1987 and 1990 respectively, eventually taking over management in 1995. Under their leadership, the domaine transitioned from selling grapes to local négociants to bottling its entire production under the family name. In 2019, the tenth generation arrived at the estate as Claude's daughter, Capucine, joined the winemaking team after completing her studies.

The estate manages approximately 20 hectares of vineyards primarily located in Santenay, though holdings extend into Maranges, Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, and Pommard. These vines average 55 years of age and are farmed using organic and biodynamic principles, officially earning High Environmental Value certification in 2021. Winemaking focuses on preserving terroir through the use of native yeasts and varying degrees of whole-cluster fermentation depending on the vintage. The brothers have reintroduced large oak foudres and 350-liter barrels to complement traditional 228-liter casks, aiming for a style that emphasizes freshness and aromatic precision. Whites are typically aged in the larger barrels to better integrate oak essences while reds see 12 months in wood followed by a period in vats.

Domaine Lucien Muzard & Fils is highly regarded for its Santenay red wines, particularly those from the Premier Crus La Maladière, Gravières, and Clos de Tavannes. While Santenay often has a reputation for rusticity, the Muzard style is noted for being elegant and bright with crunchy red fruit characteristics. The estate also produces notable white wines, including those from the Champs Claude parcel situated near the border of Chassagne-Montrachet. A special cuvée is produced from the Beauregard Premier Cru using 100 percent whole grapes to honor the traditional methods used by Lucien Muzard. This producer is frequently cited by critics as a top source for value in the Côte d’Or, providing high-quality representations of southern Côte de Beaune terroirs.