Domaine Lucien Muzard & Fils is run by the dedicated duo of brothers Claude and Hervé Muzard, the ninth generation to manage this family domaine that traces its history back to 1645. The village of Santenay is not only where they hang their hats, but also home to their largest concentration of vineyards, which average 55 years of age. Over the years, the brothers have amassed an enviable assortment of prime terroirs in the neighboring villages of Maranges as well as in Puligny, Chassagne and Meursault, including the stony, cool terroir of Les Meix Chavaux.

In the vineyards they are devout in their commitment to working naturally and incorporate both organic and biodynamic principles in their farming. Recently the brothers have begun incorporating some whole cluster fermentation for the reds to add some complexity and freshness. The wines ferment with their native yeasts in temperature controlled wooden fermenting tanks, and cuvaison typically lasts about two weeks before pressing, settling and then placing them into mostly used barrels. They have recently added foudres, which were uniquely present in the village during their grandparents' generation. This is both a nod to tradition as well as a genuine interest in how the wines will evolve in larger oak vessels.

While the village has a reputation for being more “rustic”, Muzard’s Santenays tend toward the elegant end of the spectrum, highlighted by crunchy, earthy red fruit and well integrated tannins. On the white wine side, the frères Muzard are of course big fans of their friend Didier Picq’s laser-focused, tank-aged Chablis. So, they now raise the whites in a mix of tank and barrel, combining the traditions of  both regions. As a result, the whites are aromatic and energetic, and like their red counterparts, among the finest values to be found in the region.