The vineyards of Santenay sit on steep slopes of broken, often rocky soils, which are seemingly carved into the hills. A Commune of around 340 hectares of vines, with around 120 hectares of Premier Cru, this commune is becoming sought after as the top growers eke every therm of heat and sunlight from the south west and south eastern facing vineyards, and produce wines which are becoming more sumptuous, perfumed and yet retain that lightness of touch that fully expresses Red Burgundy.
Soils are limestone dominated, with warmer Oolitic limestone more prevalent from around 300 meters, and this is where the better vineyards lie and top growers work their vines. Yields are lowish here, often for the Pinot Noir a top grower can expect 25-30 hl/ha, as wind, frost and the sparse soils make higher yields almost impossible, and yet these more concentrated reds flesh out and become more rigid and brooding in youth, becoming softer, sweeter and more appealing after 5 years.