Beauregard (1er Cru, Santenay)

Beauregard sits within the Santenay appellation at the southern end of the Côte de Beaune, holding Premier Cru status. The vineyard spans 17.9 hectares and is also known as Le Beauregard. It falls under the broader Santenay Premier Cru designation, one of Burgundy's more underappreciated appellations, offering genuine quality at prices well below the Côte de Nuits benchmarks. The southeast-facing orientation captures morning sun and extends the ripening window into the afternoon, supporting steady development of both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

• Located in Santenay, the southernmost major village of the Côte de Beaune
• Premier Cru designation within the Santenay appellation
• Southeast aspect provides reliable sun exposure across the growing season
• Also referred to as Le Beauregard in some producer labels

The vineyard sits at elevations ranging from 260 to 330 meters, giving it a broader altitudinal spread than many Côte de Beaune Premiers Crus. The soils are calcareous clay over a limestone subsoil, with a notably high proportion of stones throughout the profile. This balance of marl, clay, and limestone provides good drainage while retaining enough moisture for vine health during dry periods. The stony character of the soil contributes to the minerality found in both the red and white wines produced here, and the limestone base connects Beauregard to the broader geological identity of the Côte d'Or.

• Calcareous clay topsoil over limestone subsoil
• High stone content aids drainage and thermal retention
• Balanced marl, clay, and limestone composition
• Elevation range of 260 to 330 meters across the site

Beauregard produces both red and white wines, with Pinot Noir the dominant variety. The reds are characterised by a floral bouquet alongside red and black fruit aromas, sitting in an elegant, balanced style rather than a powerful one. The cool continental climate of the area preserves freshness and acidity, which supports the wines' structure and ageability. White wines from the vineyard show pronounced minerality and bright acidity, reflecting the limestone-rich soils. Overall, Beauregard wines represent a classically Burgundian style with regional identity rather than sheer weight.

• Reds show floral notes with red and black fruit aromatics
• Whites are mineral-driven with pronounced acidity
• Cool continental climate preserves freshness in both colours
• Elegant, balanced style rather than extracted or powerful

The name Beauregard comes from the old French phrase 'biaus regart,' meaning 'beautiful view.' The vineyard lives up to its name, positioned to take in sweeping views across the Saône river valley and the surrounding landscape of the Côte de Beaune. This kind of descriptive naming is common in historic Burgundian vineyards, where topographic and scenic characteristics often gave sites their enduring identities. Santenay itself has a long winemaking history, and Beauregard represents one of the commune's well-established Premier Cru sites.

• Name from old French 'biaus regart' meaning 'beautiful view'
• Views overlook the Saône river valley and Côte de Beaune
• Descriptive naming reflects Burgundy's long tradition of site-specific identity
• Located within Santenay, a commune with deep winemaking roots

A range of domaines hold parcels in Beauregard, reflecting the typical Burgundian pattern of fragmented ownership. Domaine Roger Belland and Justin Girardin are among the well-regarded Santenay-based producers with holdings here. Vincent Girardin, Domaine Chanson, and Marinot Verdun also work fruit from this vineyard. Nathalie Richez, Domaine Jerome Fornerot, and Domaine Battault round out the producer landscape, offering different interpretations of the site. This diversity of ownership means that comparing bottlings across producers is a valuable exercise for understanding how terroir expression interacts with cellar approach.

• Domaine Roger Belland: a Santenay-based reference producer
• Vincent Girardin and Justin Girardin: prominent Côte de Beaune négociants with local roots
• Domaine Chanson: a respected Beaune négociant house with Santenay holdings
• Nathalie Richez, Marinot Verdun, and Domaine Battault provide additional producer diversity