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Santenay

Burgundy

DijonBeauneNuits-St-GeorgesMeursaultChalon-sur-SaôneSantenaySantenay

Côte d’Or & Côte Chalonnaise

A relaxed village at the southern end of the Côte de Beaune, Santenay produces earthy, approachable reds and a handful of interesting whites. It is a wonderful appellation for exploring honest Burgundy without the prestige pricing.

The wines of Santenay are made primarily from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay.

207–449 m

Elevation range

red

Wine styles

17 Premier Crus

Avg. slope 7°

47 Vineyards

Avg. slope 7.1°

Vineyard Map

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Nearby Appellations

To the north Chassagne-Montrachet

To the west Maranges

Add Santenay to your Discoveries. When you taste one, you can tick it off.

Terroir & Character

Climate

As the southernmost appellation of the Côte de Beaune, Santenay benefits from slightly warmer temperatures and longer sunshine hours than its northern neighbors. The village's position in a broader valley provides good air circulation, reducing frost risk while the eastern aspects capture morning sun efficiently.

Terroir

LimestoneMarl

Santenay sits on Jurassic limestone bedrock from the Bathonian and Callovian stages, with significant marl deposits containing fossilized marine organisms. The limestone provides excellent drainage while the marl layers retain some moisture, allowing vine roots to penetrate deeply into the fractured bedrock while accessing necessary water reserves during dry periods.

Typical Aromas

red cherrystrawberrymineralearthlight spice
Explore the aroma wheel

Notable Producers

Lucien MuzardValue Santenay reds, Graviers and Maladiere
Vincent GirardinBroad Burgundy range, Santenay base

Grapes of Santenay

Pinot Noir

Red
Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
strawberryraspberryred cherryviolet

The benchmark Pinot Noir. Côte de Nuits leans structured and dark-cherried, Côte de Beaune turns perfumed and supple, both ageing into forest floor and truffle.

Chardonnay

White
Body
Sweetness
Acidity
green applelemonpearnectarine

Chardonnay's homeland. Chablis stays steely and citrus-driven, the Côte de Beaune turns rich and hazelnutty, the Mâconnais sits comfortably between.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Santenay known for?▼
Santenay is known for producing honest, approachable Burgundy wines without the prestige pricing of other appellations. Located at the southern end of the Côte de Beaune, it's a relaxed village that offers excellent value for exploring authentic Burgundian character.
What does Santenay wine taste like?▼
Santenay reds are characterized by their earthy, approachable style with good structure from the limestone soils. The whites, though less common, show interesting mineral complexity and freshness typical of southern Côte de Beaune.
What grapes are grown in Santenay?▼
Santenay primarily grows Pinot Noir for its red wines, which make up the majority of production. Chardonnay is also cultivated for the smaller production of white wines.
How many premier crus does Santenay have?▼
Santenay has 12 premier cru vineyards. These premier cru sites represent the appellation's finest terroirs and produce wines with greater complexity and aging potential.
What soil types are found in Santenay?▼
Santenay's vineyards are planted on limestone and marl soils. These calcareous soils provide excellent drainage and contribute to the mineral backbone and earthy character of the wines.

Map data: INAO, Cadastre, manual adjustments · Imagery: Sentinel-2 cloudless by EOX IT Services GmbH (CC BY 4.0)