Chris Santini, a French-American winemaker with Corsican and Tunisian roots, founded Santini Frères(rebranded as Santini Collective) in Auxey-Duresses, Burgundy. After studying oenology in Beaune and workingwith legendary importer Kermit Lynch, Santini began producing natural wines in 2013, initially in ChristophePacalet’s cellar, before moving to his own 100-year-old cuverie in 2016. The “Auxey Collective” hosts youngwinemakers like Jon Purcell (Vin Noé),

Christian Knott and Morgane Seuillot (Domaine Dandelion), BastianWolber, and Arnaud Lopez, sharing equipment and ideas. Santini sources organic grapes from offbeat Burgundy,Beaujolais, and Provence terroirs, producing “vins de soif” (thirst-quenching, easy-drinking wines) like Champlitte(Pinot Noir-Gamay), Beaujolais-Villages, Bourgogne Blanc (Chardonnay from Uchizy), and Grenache Noir.Wines are vinified with native yeasts, whole-cluster fermentation, no additives except minimal sulfur at bottling,and bottled unfined and unfiltered, emphasizing vibrant, fruit-driven profiles.