Domaine Françoise & Denis Clair was founded in 1986 by Denis Clair in the village of Santenay, an appellation in the Côte de Beaune where Denis’s family had been vignerons for generations. Over time, Denis and Françoise (who was born in the neighboring village of SaintAubin) acquired additional parcels—including Chardonnay vineyards in Saint-Aubin—so that today the estate farms around fifteen hectares of vines. Their son Jean-Baptiste joined the domaine in 2000 and has gradually taken on greater responsibility, particularly in the cellar and with the white wines.
In Santenay, the vineyards are in clay-limestone soils, and in Saint-Aubin they sit on shallow, stony limestone slopes that look directly toward some of Burgundy’s best terroirs. On the viticulture side, the Clairs emphasize hand-harvested grapes, indigenous yeasts, minimal filtration and low sulfur additions—reflecting a desire to let terroir and vine speak rather than heavy intervention. The result is wines that are pure, expressive, and true to their origin—showcasing the quiet confidence of thoughtful farming and honest craftsmanship.