Sylvain Pataille is a highly regarded winemaker based in Marsannay-la-Côte, the northernmost appellation of Burgundy’s Côte de Nuits, just outside Dijon. Born and raised in Marsannay, Pataille didn’t come from a winemaking family but was drawn to viticulture from a young age, inspired by time spent in the vineyards of family friend Jean Fournier. He studied oenology in Beaune and Bordeaux, later working briefly in a Beaune lab before starting his own domaine in 1999 with just one hectare. Today, his estate spans 15 hectares, all in Marsannay, where he grows Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and a significant amount of Aligoté, a grape he’s particularly championed.

Pataille is a leader in organic and biodynamic viticulture, certified organic since 2008 and practicing biodynamic methods, though he lost certification in 2016 after using a prohibited treatment to save a harvest. He plows by horse, uses massal selection for replanting (sourcing cuttings from top Burgundy producers), and maintains low yields (around 35 hl/ha for reds, 30 hl/ha for Aligoté) to ensure quality. In the cellar, he employs minimal intervention: native yeasts, long and slow pressing, minimal sulfur (20-30 mg/L at bottling), and extended élevage (15-24 months) in mostly older barrels (0-30% new oak). His wines are known for their finesse, balance, and distinct minerality, reflecting Marsannay’s limestone and clay soils.