AOC Volnay-Santenots

The Appellation d'Origine Protégée (AOP) Volnay Santenots is a prestigious denomination within the Volnay appellation, located in the Côte de Beaune wine region, Burgundy, France. This appellation is renowned for its elegant, refined red wines, made exclusively from the Pinot Noir grape variety. The "Santenots" climats include several parcels located in the commune of Meursault, but whose wines are marketed under the Volnay appellation when they are red.

The Santenots climat is mainly located in the commune of Meursault, although the red wines produced are classified under the Volnay appellation. This terroir benefits from ideal exposure and clay-limestone soils that favor the cultivation of Pinot Noir. The soils are well-drained and rich in minerals, offering optimal conditions for the production of wines of great finesse and complexity.

The red wines of Volnay Santenots are made exclusively from the Pinot Noir grape variety. They are distinguished by their finesse, elegance and aromatic complexity. On the nose, they offer aromas of red fruits (cherry, raspberry), violets, and often spicy and woody notes. On the palate, these wines are silky, with fine tannins and a beautiful structure, offering long aromatic persistence.

Although Santenots parcels can produce white wine under the appellation Meursault, they are not marketed under the name Volnay Santenots. Meursault Santenots white wines, made from the Chardonnay grape variety, are renowned for their richness and complexity.

The Volnay Santenots appellation covers around 29 hectares of vineyards. Annual production varies according to climatic conditions, but generally remains limited in quantity to guarantee optimum quality. This limited production contributes to the rarity and value of the wines of this appellation.

Volnay Santenots wines are often considered among the finest in the Volnay appellation. They combine Volnay's characteristic delicacy and elegance with an added depth and complexity due to the exceptional Santenots terroir. These wines are particularly appreciated for their ability to age, developing over the years complex tertiary aromas and an even more harmonious structure.

A growing number of wineries in the Volnay Santenots appellation are adopting organic or biodynamic viticulture practices. This approach aims to respect the environment, preserve biodiversity and produce more authentic wines. Practices include the use of natural composts, tillage without synthetic chemicals, and natural phytosanitary treatments to combat vine diseases.