Marc-Antonin Blain, son of Jean-Marc and Claudine, grew up among the vineyards of Chassagne, but it was the vintages he spent abroad in Australia and New Zealand that inspired his passion for winemaking.

Back in France, under the guidance of his grandfather Jacques Gagnard – an atypical figure in the world of wine – that Marc-Antonin learned about the unique terroir of his native Chassagne-Montrachet. In the vineyard and the cellar, he embraces with the traditions and knowledge passed down through his family.

In 2009 Marc-Antonin established his own estate in the heart of Chassagne. He continues to work with vines that have been in his family since 1683; the vineyard was entrusted to him by his grandfather a year before his passing. Covering 1.16 ha the Domaine is divided amongst four appellations, including Batard-Montrachet. His aim as a vigneron is to respect and preserve his family’s culture.

Marc-Antonin practices sustainable viticulture, minimising intervention in the vineyard while protecting and nurturing the vines. Grass is grown between the rows, which promotes microbial life in the soil; these organisms helps the plants find balance within the broader terroir.

The grapes are hand-harvested and transported to the winery to begin their fermentation. The wine is then aged in barrel in the Blain family’s centuries-old cellars before bottling.