Antoine Lienhardt

"From Comblanchien with love." Situated just south of Nuits-Saint-Georges, the village of Comblanchien is often overlooked by Burgundy enthusiasts. However, Antoine holds a different perspective, recognizing the immense value of the terroirs and treating his vineyards with the same reverence as the esteemed Grand Crus.

In 2016, the Domaine made the decision to obtain organic certification for their vineyards, resulting in continuous improvement in wine quality with each passing year. The wines are made using whole clusters, without fining or filtration, and only with natural yeast. No sulfites are added— it's the full package, of course. To minimize soil compaction, ploughing is carried out using horses, and the lunar cycle is duly considered. The adoption of biodynamic practices further signifies their commitment to nature and enhancing the calibre of their wines.

Boundaries are meant to be challenged, and Antoine focuses on highlighting the terroir of the Cote de Nuits Villages, even when it was previously disregarded. He now implements Lalou Bize-Leroy's approach by training vines to grow higher. Additionally, he experiments with prolonged oxidative ageing of Aligote in barrels, yielding mind-blowing results. And, of course, there's no shortage of amphoras in his cellar!

Antoine's meticulous care for the vineyards brings forth elevated quality in these predominantly regional wines. Over the years, the practice of organic and biodynamic farming has greatly improved Antoine's vines, leading him to assert, “I don't make the wine, the wine makes itself. You don't have to work a lot when you have healthy grapes.”